Renovations are planned to bring a restaurant to Minneota.

Potential investors asked to join City Hall Bar & Grill

•Group looking to start building grill by June.
"We need more investors to make this happen," said Eric Buysse, president of the investors group that has already renovated the City Hall Bar & Grill.

"We need more investors to make this happen," said Eric Buysse, president of the investors group that has already renovated the City Hall Bar & Grill.

Potential community investors were asked Wednesday night to join the effort to bring a restaurant back to Minneota. “We need more investors to make this happen," said Eric Buysse, president of the investors group that has already renovated the City Hall Bar & Grill. Interested potential investors crowded the back room of what used to be "Bubba's" in an attempt to get the facts about bringing a restaurant back to the community. Buysse said there are currently 13 investors.

"After three months of business, City Hall Bar and Grill is in the black. This is after paying for majority of the remodeling and one year of insurance," indicated Buysse. The renovation of the bar is more or less, Phase I, of a plan that includes adding on to the building (into the vacant lot next to it) and creating a "Grill," or restaurant for the community. He told the group shares are $500 with a minimum investment of $7,500. They are encouraging people to "group together" to create the $7,500 investment. "Investors can be individuals or groups," said Buysse.

Board of Director members are: Chairman Buysse; vice chair Katie VanHecke; Secretary Ronni Vlaminck and board members John Noyes, Laurie Laleman and Dave Fahey is the treasurer. Improvements made so far include remodeling the front of the bar, new flooring and paint throughout, new coolers, increased cocktail menu and monthly special events. "Still to come are cabinets behind the bar," said Buysse.

In sticking with state regulations, the group can have up to 50 investors and they are encouraging people to "Piggy Back" with each other to create a $7,500 investment, Including building the addition and equipment ($150,000), about $450,000 is needed to make the grill a reality, "We could possibly start (construction) in June," said Buysse. "It will become a reality ... we are excited" .... he added.

The new grill's kitchen will be in the Northeast corner of the building and the bar and grill will share bathroom facilities. Initial plans call for the restaurant seating 70 people — but that could be expanded. The proposed addition will come within three feet of the building next door, the Rehkamp-Horvath Funeral Home. Buysse said at this time there are no plans to renovated the upstairs. That could come in the future but would need an elevator to accommodate the handicapped.

The board of directors will meet and decide if profits will be shared with investors or turned back into further renovation. But investors were told they could possibly get their money back — but there are no certainties. The proposed restaurant will have a wood frame and the same floor as in the current bar.

"Once we're up and running and making money, then, yes, we'd be able to give the money back," Buysse said. The investors must be in place by September and each $7,500 group will have one lead member, who can divide any "payback" among the investors in that group.

Buysse added, "We have $41,000 in the bank (State Bank of Taunton) right now. Everything is paid for and the insurance is paid for a whole year." He indicated the group may seek a government-subsidized loan through the bank. He also reported, "Business is good. There is always something new." Specials are being offered at the bar and even pizza is being served.

One person from the audience seemed to express the thoughts of the majority.

"We're excited to have a family place," she said.

Drawings show the projected grill. The empty space is the current ball. Eric Buysse talked to the group

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