Minnesotans are once again flocking to Wisconsin where bars and restaurants remain open
According to the news, Minnesota is, yet again losing businesses to Wisconsin. As reported by Minnesota CBS local news on November 23, this is particularly true for Minnesotans living in border cities.
On a moonlit Monday night along the bustling main drag of Hudson, Wisconsin, hungry customers shuffled into bars and restaurants — many of whom call Minnesota home.
Joe and Jill Bonfe of Woodbury wanted to celebrate his birthday.
“We come over here quite a bit on weekends,” Joe Bonfe said. “We probably would have found a place in Woodbury, but being that everything’s closed up and just takeout right now, it’s kind of hard, you know, to plan on going out.”
Staff at several area restaurants said the rush of visitors who live west of the St. Croix River was immediate after the new restrictions started over the weekend in Minnesota. Bars and restaurants are closed to dine-in service until Dec. 18.
This is also what happened in May when Minnesota shut down its establishments.
Nathan Meilrosse is the assistant taproom manager at Hop and Barrel Brewing Company in Hudson.
“Saturday was one the busiest Saturdays we’ve had in months, and it was probably 75% – 80% from Minnesota,” Meilrosse said.
It somewhat reminds him of early May, when Wisconsin opened up as Minnesota stayed locked down. He adds a big change this time around is the amount of masks being worn in accordance with the state mandate.
“I feel like people are more aware of what really is going on,” he said.
This will be economically devastating
According to the Minnesota Department of Economic Development’s news release today, there are at least 8,500 restaurants in Minnesota and they employ over 100,000 people. Slow business due to restrictions could lead to closures and job losses.
Unfortunately, however, the devastation does not end there. Bars and other businesses will also be impacted. Businesses that supply inputs to restaurants and bars, such as farmers and food processing companies are also at risk. So are businesses that provide services to workers who are in at-risk industries.
It is especially concerning that Minnesota’s bars and restaurants have borne the brunt of COVID-19 restrictions despite their not being linked to COVID-19 spread as John Phelan has illustrated.