Maple Grove’s The Lookout Bar and Grill Braces for More Lost Revenue Due to COVID-19 Restrictions

New COVID-19 restrictions went into effect on Friday. It includes a 10:00 p.m. curfew for bars and restaurants. The owner of  The Lookout Bar and Grill wonders what the new rules might do to his business.

The establishment has served comfort food since 1958. However, COVID-19 is dishing out disappointment and downward sales for Mike Kinnan.

“Were hurting,” said Kinnan.

Under the new guidelines, bars and restaurants have to operate at 50 percent capacity and have no more than 150 people total, and customers have to be seated at tables.

Bartender at The Lookout Bar and Grill serves customers during lunchtime Friday.

“Losing the bar is going to be tough. We’ll put tables in that space to occupy the space, but we can’t have people sitting directly at the bar,” explained Kinnan. “Our late-night traffic after 10 is three hours of lost revenue times seven, so we’re losing 21 hours a week.

The 10 p.m. deadline isn’t arbitrary. According to The Minnesota Department of Health, cases of COVID-19 double after 9 p.m, citing contact tracing data. The new restrictions also limit how many people can attend weddings and public gatherings, which will also impact profit generated from catering jobs at The Lookout Bar and Grill.

“We’re down 170 weddings for the year. It’s in the millions of revenue coming in,” said the Maple Grove owner.

For now, The Lookout is surviving on takeout sales and its upcoming Thanksgiving takeout menu and touchless buffet.

Maple Grove