Downtown Osseo Shops, Restaurants Slowly Return to Normal

With shops and restaurants closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, downtown Osseo has been a quiet place. Shop owners and residents say they are happy the city is returning to normal.

Gov. Tim Walz announced Phase III of reopening the state including allowing restaurants to dine-in at half capacity with a maximum of 250 people.  

Olympia Cafe and Gyros

Olympia Cafe and Gyros reopened its dining area Wednesday. Restaurant staff like Andrea Hanson are eager to put the restaurant back together, but say it’s been a challenge.

“We’re trying to figure out if we have enough tables for everybody, especially on the weekends,” said Hanson.

Across the street from Olympia Cafe and Gyros is Osseo Savitt Paint. Unlike many small businesses, the paint shop has had a lot of traffic during the stay-at-home order.

Osseo Savitt Paint

“It’s been busy with everyone getting their projects done while they’ve been stuck at home,” explained owner Teresa Aho. 

Aho explained that just two weeks ago, nobody was allowed to come in the store. Now a limited number of people are allowed to come in.

Nourish Nutrition Club, not too far from Osseo Savitt Paint, continues to provide healthy drinks for curbside and in-store.

“As COVID-19 has kind of gone on, we’ve been starting to pick up more each week,” said Jacqueline Kaasa, an employee at Nourish. 

The smoothie bar business plans to have a re-grand opening this Saturday, June 13, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Nourish Nutrition Club

“Trying to get people back into town through the doors and get it going again,” said Kaasa.

Businesses agree it’s been emotional watching the streets go quiet.

“It as so sad not having anybody in Osseo,” Aho said.

But with businesses back open, employees are hopeful city life will be restored. 

“We miss them (customers) and I’m just hoping to see everything go back to normal,” Hanson said. 

Osseo