Beloved Rapidan Dam Store demolished due to threat from overflowing Blue Earth River

The Rapidan Dam Store, the beloved pie shop and diner on the banks of the Blue Earth River, has been demolished due to the threat of continued erosion caused by the flooding that overran the Rapidan Dam earlier this week.

The Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office confirmed Friday that "significant erosion has accelerated" on the west bank of the river in recent days, which has consumed "numerous trees, portions of the campground roadway, and several feet of ground."

The Dam Store is owned by the Hruska family, who have already seen their home fall into the river during the emergency that saw flood debris build up at Rapidan Dam, causing river water to flow around the west side and at one point sparking fears that the dam was going to fail entirely.

"A contractor was brought onsite to explore options to move the Rapidan Dam Store building, but felt the project was too dangerous to attempt," the sheriff's office said.

County workers helped the Hruska family remove the bar, chairs, tables, booths, kitchen appliances, and memorabilia from the building on Thursday amid concerns it would also be lost to the river.

But the building ultimately couldn't be saved, with the county presenting a purchase agreement to the Hruskas so it could be demolished.

"The Dam Store was an integral part of the community and remains embedded in the memories of many residents," the sheriff's office said. "Our thoughts are with the Hruska family and everyone close to them."

A GoFundMe to help the Hruska family has so far generated more than $50,000 in donations.