Local Restaurants Prep for Busy Weekend of In-Person Dining
Local restaurants are expecting a busy weekend as indoor dining takes place for the first weekend in two months. Businesses are allowed to reopen at 50% capacity or 150 persons max. Governor Tim Walz announced the lifting of restrictions Jan. 6, which allowed in-person dining to resume Monday, Jan. 11.
Restaurants inside The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove report people already making reservations and the restaurants bringing staff back to work.
Granite City Food & Brewery
Granite City Food & Brewery in Maple Grove.
Sarah Yurk hasn’t eaten inside a restaurant in nearly two months. But on Friday, the Burnsville resident made the drive to Maple Grove to get a bite.
“Granite City Food & Brewery was one of our hangouts when we were in college,” said Yurk. “She (my college roomate) lives in St. Cloud and it’s halfway between us and we thought ‘let’s go old school.'”
Peter VonBank, general manager of Granite City, has been looking forward to seating customers indoors.
“You have no idea,” VonBank said. “The most exciting part of this is seeing my staff again and to have guest coming in through the building to provide exceptional experience for.”
Granite City was able to bring back furloughed staff, especially for the busy weekend ahead.
“We’re bringing in the vast majority of our staff tonight, Saturday and Sunday,” said VonBank.
Redstone American Grill
Redstone American Grill in Maple Grove.
Across from Granite City, Redstone American Grill is also prepping for a busy weekend. Staff members at Redstone are encouraging people to call in to make reservations
“The phones have been ringing off the hooks, so it’s going to be busy,” said Karl Bodin, manager of Redstone American Grill.
Bodin expects close to a 50 percent capacity at the business this weekend. He said there will be a lot of prep in the back and up front.
“Bringing all staff back in, getting them re-acclimate to the job and things like that. Making sure we keep up to safety standards and things like that,” said Bodin.
While customers are eager for fresh food. some are mostly excited about having company.
“There’s an element of the social aspect that COVID sort of has taken away, so it’s nice to be with people and you just miss it,” said Yurk.
If you are still not comfortable with indoor dining the restaurants are also still taking to-go orders.
