by Sue Webber
Contributing writer
The Muni bar in Rogers, a staple in the community since 1977, is about to become a remodeled restaurant and bar, under new ownership.
The Rogers City Council on June 11 approved a $1.1 million purchase agreement with Craft & Crew Hospitality, Inc., for the sale of the city-owned property at 21400 John Milless Drive.
Brett Angell, Rogers Community Development director, told the council that Craft & Crew is “a well-known and respected restaurant operating group” that currently operates six Twin Cities area restaurants, including Pub 819 in Hopkins, The Block in St. Louis Park, Stanley’s in northeast Minneapolis, The Howe in Minneapolis, Duke’s on 7 in Minnetonka, and the Bar Draft House in Hastings. The group is also purchasing the Galaxy Drivein in St. Louis Park.
“While the decision to move away from a longterm city operation is always difficult, staff believe that the prospective buyer will be a great addition to the business community and will bring a needed refresh to the building,” Angell said in a memo to the council.
The group also has experience with doing “significant renovations to buildings to fit their brand,” Angell said.
The buyers intend to do the same in Rogers, according to Angell, including the interior creation of a new four-season patio space, the addition of a commercial kitchen, a full bar with a focus on tequila, an American food menu, and a weekend brunch.
Fire pull tabs will be continued for at least a one-year period, Angell said.
“This would be a pretty good fit,” Mayor Rick Ihli said.
Luke Derheim, representing the prospective buyers, agreed that “the fit is fantastic.”
“We’re really excited about this opportunity,” Derheim said. “We have always appreciated the Rogers area. The area is growing.”
He added that, as with the group’s other restaurants, the new patio will be “very dog friendly.”
Council Member Mark Eiden noted that the current Muni “is beloved in the community.” He said, “It’s a neighborhood spot, casual and friendly.”
He questioned what the prospective buyers will do to maintain the community feel.
“Our experience will jibe well with this community and the neighborhood,” said David Benowitz, representing Craft & Crew Hospitality. “We will bring the concept of The Block to this community. It will feel very similar to The Block, with an expanded patio. We specialize in broasted chicken and tacos. We have a tequila focus, with a wide variety of slushies, and lemonade beverages. Our feature items across all our restaurants include bowls, sandwiches, and burgers, which we sell the most of.”
He noted that the company is very “neighborhoodcentric.”
“We go into an area to become the neighborhood hangout,” Benowitz said. “We’re not a high-end place. We rely on regulars and businesses to keep us afloat. We want to continue to uphold the standards of the Muni.”
Added Derheim: “We’ve learned what works and what doesn’t work. We ask people what they want to see. We listen to what the local community wants. We want our bartenders and staff to be welcoming.” The prospective buyers plan to use DPG, a Rogers-based contractor, for remodeling of the building, and Rogers-based Performance Food Group for their food purchases, according to Angell.
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