The increasing complexity of liquor license applications and oversight is posing new challenges for Morrison County officials. At the Tuesday, June 18 County Board of Commissioners meeting, Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Nathan Bertram’s overview of the liquor licensing process illuminated a burgeoning workload.
This discussion was requested by the Board at its Tuesday, June 4 meeting, as commissioners wanted to learn more about liquor licensing prior to voting to approve a new 2 a.m. liquor license and permit for Midwest MN Hospitality, doing business as the Cave Bar and Grill. At that meeting, the Board voted to table the motion to approve the liquor license and permit.
Bertram detailed the division of responsibilities between cities and counties. While larger municipalities like Little Falls manage their own, the county is tasked with licenses outside city limits. This includes establishments in unincorporated communities like Belle Prairie, Cushing and Little Rock and townships like Darling, Swan River and Elmdale townships.
Renewals usually begin in March, with a flurry of paperwork requiring insurance documents, background checks and more. Ensuring complete applications is crucial, as incomplete forms delay the review process.
Bertram said there are five types of liquor licenses. The first is temporary licenses, which can only be approved for one to four days. These licenses are suited for events such as county fairs. The second is for 3.2 beer applications and the third is for display and consumption licenses, the latter of which is often used for events such as weddings. The fourth and fifth liquor licenses are for intoxicating liquors including wine and intoxicating liquors excluding wine.
Bertram said the level of involvement the HHS department and Morrison County Board has with approving these liquor licenses depends on the type, but that staff work diligently to make sure each liquor license is appropriate to the occasion and establishment and that everything is up to code.
The Board then discussed a proposed license transfer and optional 2 a.m. closing for the Cave Bar and Grill. Commissioner Robert Kasper had met with the new owner, David Herrera, who cited added liability for law enforcement to prevent, catch and stop drunk driving later in the night if patrons leave later.
“It gives our Sheriff’s Department added liability to chase. I know back when I was a drinking man, (there was) chasing from Hillman over to that bar from Lastrup,” Kasper said. “There’s an added liability for this bar owner, because these guys, if they behave like I used to, I know they like to get the last call for alcohol. So those were all brought forward but this time, I don’t think he’s going to relinquish.”
The case highlighted complexities in liquor oversight. Commissioner Jeffrey Jelinski inquired about inspection protocols, underscoring increased food service at bars. In response, Bertram said sanitarians inspect kitchen facilities at bars now regularly serving food just as they would with any other establishment, making routine inspections as well as following up on any complaints regarding food safety. He said his department also conducts inspections on food trucks that pop up during events such as the upcoming Pierz Freedom Fest to ensure everything is up to code.
Following the discussion on liquor licenses, the Board unanimously voted to untable the motion to approve the 2 a.m. liquor license and permit for the Cave Bar and Grill. All commissioners then unanimously voted to approve the motion.
Although the Cave Bar and Grill is now legally allowed to be open until 2 a.m., its current hours on Facebook state that it is open from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturdays, 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays and closed on Mondays. The establishment is at 37051 Highway 27 in Hillman.
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