Posted on 03/20/2021 11:07:46 PM PDT by nickcarraway
An iconic Twin Cities restaurant is back in business less than a year after it was destroyed in last summer's riots.
For the last 31 years Brit's Pub has been a downtown Minneapolis institution.
"There’s been weddings, birthdays, christenings, funerals, everybody’s got a Brit’s story," said General Manager Shane Higgins.
Yet Brit’s story nearly came to an unfortunate end back in August, after video of a man committing suicide, while being pursued by Minneapolis Police, went viral. The video led many to believe it was police who killed the man and that misunderstanding led to businesses downtown being torched and ransacked.
"There was fire, there was looting, things destroyed such as seating, drapes, computer systems, things taken off the wall," said Higgins.
For the last seven months, Higgins and his team have been pouring their heart, soul, and hundreds of thousands of dollars into writing this new chapter of Brit’s story, keeping the institution’s legacy alive.
"Damage assessment, cleanup, refurbishing the place, retraining a bit and new systems to learn and then here we are today," said Higgins.
A day when much of downtown Minneapolis looks a lot different than it did seven months ago, as many businesses have either relocated or closed for good.
"I'm glad that these guys stayed open I mean because it’s a fun place we go all the time," said Nathaniel Shochatovitz, as he drank a beer out on the Brit's Pub terrace.
"We just hope to get a bit of a snowball effect and encourage more people to open and get some of the big businesses back and we can just hope," said Higgins.
With a pandemic still looming, and the potential for more unrest in the wake of the Derek Chauvin’s trial, this institution’s story will live on despite the odds against it.
"There’s absolutely always a worry, but we’ll just have to wait and see I mean we’ll take advice from police and authorities, keep an eye on the news. Hopefully there isn’t any unrest," said Higgins.
Brit's Pub plans to be open Thursdays through Sundays with the hopes of expanding their schedule in the summer.
Would not be shocked if there are more riots either before, during or after the upcoming trial of the policeman.
Nothing to stop the “mostly peaceful” from burning it down again the next time they feel petulant, bored or greedy.
If your state betrays you by condoning and even encouraging those that robbed you it is time to move somewhere better.
Wonder if their insurance will cover them a second time
Just in time for the next round of riots this summer.
Having been IN Watts during the rioting there, I KNOW the REAL solution to STOPPING rioters, looters, thieves & other assorted thugs in their tracks. = KOREAN shop owners with shotguns.
ARSON, LOOTING & AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS are NOT “PEACEFUL PROTESTS”.= WHEN/IF we start shooting VICIOUS/VIOLENT CRIMINALS again, this rioting will quickly STOP.
(Readers will note that these sort of CRIMINAL ACTS occur IN BLUE STATES.)
Yours, ex-cadet
“(Readers will note that these sort of CRIMINAL ACTS occur IN BLUE STATES.)”
There was rioting and property destruction in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia during the spring and summer of 2020. Looting occurred in Texas cities, Tampa, Florida and Charleston, SC in the wake of George Floyd’s death. The breakdown of our society, and civilization, is not confined to the bluest states.
That was THEN. This is NOW.
(Hide & watch what we rednecks & patriots do in the future, if it should start “down here” again.)
Even here in San Antonio, which is as “Yellow dog democrat” as Texas gets, the working class Tejanos & Anglos are seriously PO.
(Bexar County is about 60% Tejano & with a HIGH percentage of GIs/ex-GIs.)
Yours, ex-cadet
I remember yellow dog Dems, there are none now. (I did notice Charles Stenholm was added to the Ag Department recently, he was a "yellow dog", except when he was in DC, he was called Congressman Stenholm, although it's been 25 years since he held office.) Austin is pure hard leftist controlled. The ComDems seek the center of power to inhabit, they know those away from the government will never let them run things.
My great great grandfather was born here in the Republic of Texas. Texas HAS NEVER been Leftist. Texas was a Democrat State for 150 years because of a civil war and the abuses after that war. (Note: I have never been a Democrat)
I know, I was surprised too.
They get what they deserve for staying in Minneapolis..
Civil unrest...
SNORT.
Wait’ll Chauvin is found not guilty.
I think I’da waited until after the trial was over before rebuilding.
“It was a “misunderstanding “ that led to businesses being burned downIt was a “misunderstanding “ that led to businesses being burned down...”
I am so glad I don’t live in a diverse area.
My insurance specifically stated it will not cover riots or terrorism. I would imagine same for him.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.