Long circled on the calendar for restaurateurs, June 1 was supposed to be the day for a new beginning. After more than two months without seated customers due to the coronavirus, restaurants finally got the greenlight from the state to open their patios on Monday.
But three nights of escalating community unrest in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd — which saw several Minneapolis restaurants damaged by fire, looting or vandalism — has owners reconsidering whether they will take Gov. Tim Walz up on the offer to reopen for outdoor dining.
"We're just flabbergasted," said Luke Derheim, director of operations for Craft & Crew Hospitality, which owns four restaurants, including two in Minneapolis. "Just when we thought things were going to get better, now we're having to grapple with an even larger crisis in the city."
All of Craft & Crew's restaurants are taking reservations for patio seating next week. But Derheim and his team will be making a final decision on opening the Minneapolis spots — the Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar in south Minneapolis, and Stanley's Northeast Bar Room — over the weekend.
"We're just trying to piece it together day by day or hour by hour," he said.
Brit's Pub, in downtown Minneapolis, was preparing to open its rooftop Monday for lunch. Now, general manager Shane Higgins said that opening could be a week or two away. Takeout has been suspended, too, and the restaurant on Nicollet Mall has been boarded up.
"We don't want anybody on the premises," he said. "For the safety of guests and employees, there's absolutely no point in trying to do carryout."
Surly Brewing's expansive beer garden was ready for outdoor dining under the state's parameters — tables placed at least 6 feet apart, no more than 50 customers at a time. Staffers would have their temperature checked before they could work.