Minot Daily News SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020 MinotDailyNews.com • Facebook • Twitter
Economic Development
New Year, New Decade, New Opportunities for New Businesses By BRANDON CARR
Staff Writer bcarr@minotdailynews.com The start of the new year was also the beginning of a new decade, which gave opportunities for new businesses to migrate to Minot. Now, amid the crisis of COVID-19, many establishments have been affected. In March, the government and the health department forced restaurants to be drivethru only in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. As the coronavirus continues to spread, revenue is still flowing for most businesses. After much anticipation, Culver’s opened its doors to the public on Feb. 17 at 3000 South Broadway, becoming the sixth location in North Dakota. The Wisconsinbased restaurant is known for its creamy custards, cheese curds, and never frozen, made to order butter burgers. With the global outbreak, long drive-thru lines have become the norm. To show their appreciation, certain Culver’s ran a special promotion called Culver’s Cares for those that worked in the health care industry, first responders, and those in emergency. The promotion ran for specific states from March 23-29, which involved a free value basket and a free kids meal with the purchase of a value basket on particular days. To limit person-to-person contact, Culver’s put out a statement via email that its top priority is to ensure the overall well being of customers and employees. In limiting the spread of the virus, “we are temporally closing our in-restaurant dining rooms and will only be
serving guests in the drivethru to limit person-toperson contact. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you, but we feel this is a necessary step we need to take in this current environment.” Manager Patty Hageman said with drive-thru being the option of service, the restaurant can finally slow down orders and focus only on the full line of cars that continue to wrap around the building. “We take orders over the phone. The customer has to have their card information available for payment. Our curbside assistance is available. Just park across from the drive-thru and call the store to let us know you’re outside, and an associate will bring your order to you. Our store hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Saturday.” After opening its doors to the public this past February, Prairie Sky Breads, before the outbreak, had regulars stopping in for their favorite treats and drinks. Following other
TOP LEFT: Taco Feliz informs customers of status during the pandemic. MAIN: Customers fill the parking lot of newly opened Dollar General for supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic.
BOTTOM LEFT: Customers visit newly opened T-Mobile inside Dakota Square Mall.
Photos by Brandon Carr/MDN
establishments, the restaurant closed its dining area to comply with social distancing. One suggestion that paid off was the addition of curbside pick-up. Prairie Sky Breads closed its doors for a few days to put in place a
plan on how to proceed moving forward. It contacted city officials about putting out black metal barriers for curbside designation, and the establishment received the OK in less than 24 hours. In addition to curbside delivery was the option of or-
Good tourism By CIARA PARIZEK
dering online from its official website. The opportunity to call ahead to place an order over the phone is available as well. Customers can now come to the establishment and pick up their orders or place to-go orders at the counter. With the new in-
stallments, the staff and the customers didn’t experience long lines of people waiting. The agony of not having has become concerning for both the customer and the consumer. Sky Bread sees See STORES — Page 2
Canadians come down to experience Minot
Staff Writer cparizek@minotdailynews.com The people who live in Minot are not the only ones that enjoy what the Magic City has to offer. Canadians make the trip across the border to take some family time and shop. Stephanie Schoenrock works with Visit Minot and she explained that there are many reasons why people from Canada come to Minot. One of the most commonly heard reasons, especially in retail stores, is that the selection of items in Minot is more vast. Some retail corporations may only have stores in the United States and may not deliver items across the border. Therefore, Canadians have to drive hours to Minot. In addition to having a bigger selection, some of the products that are sold in the states are not sold in Canada. For example, their Walmarts might not carry some products that the Walmarts in the U.S. have. Minot is centrally located for the people of rural parts of Canada and it’s generally a shorter drive than it would be to get to a larger city with shopping centers. During the key season between July and November, Canadians join the people of Minot in many different activities besides just shopping. They have come to have a new favorite place to eat at locally owned restaurants like Prairie Sky Breads, Minot’s Daily Bread, Starving Rooster, Ebeneezer’s and Souris
LEFT: People enjoy local shopping in downtown Minot BELOW: A Roosevelt Park Zoo staff member works on training the red pandas to give high-fives. Submitted Photos
River Brewery. “(Minot) has a lot of excellent local options and they know that visitors truly enjoy the variety,” Schoenrock said. The Escape Room, Scandinavian Heritage Park and Roosevelt Park Zoo are popular for families and friends while they make a weekend getaway or are on holiday. The abundance of different events and activities that Minot puts on attracts Canadians looking for something new to go to, or perhaps it’s an annual event they thoroughly enjoy so they return to experience again. Two of the most popular annual events they like to attend are The Big One Craft Show at the fair-
grounds and the Norsk Hostfest. Schoenrock said she and the others of Visit Minot keep track of the Canadian holidays so they can plan events for when they think visitors will come by. She also recognizes that some families have traditions or events they attend or hotels they like to stay at. The families take their children to those events and hope that it will continue. “They try to find a balance of what’s new and different, and what’s tradition,” she explained. Depending on a variety of circumstances, families may drive down in their own vehicle, or people who are traveling alone may
take a bus with others. Schoenrock said that individual vehicles are more common than busses. Tourism isn’t always a bad thing. When citizens of Canada
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come to visit, they bring their culture and stories to Minot. Upon their return home, they take culture and stories of North Dakota with them, as well.