The Crookston City Council met on Monday night and, as part of the consent agenda, approved a liquor license for Laurie and Craig Stahlecker and Sons – Doing Business as Crookston Inn. Laurie Stahlecker said after the meeting that the Crookston Inn would have a soft opening on Wednesday, February 19, before hosting their first event that weekend. “Hopefully, Wednesday (February) 19th,” said Stahlecker. “We were trying for Monday the 17th, but remodel projects are kind of behind a little bit, so we’re hoping for Wednesday the 19th. And then on Friday, we have 134 ‘dart divas’ coming in for the weekend.”
The remodeling was done to the lobby, bar, and lower level rooms on the building’s north side. “The lobby is all redone. The front desk is redone, we did some changes in the bar, but I’ll let them see that when they come out. A brand-new menu is coming too.” said Stahlecker. “All of the rooms on the lower level of the north side weren’t completely remodeled, but they were stripped, cleaned, and painted. Old light fixtures were taken out, new ones put in, new curtains put in.”
Councilman Bobby Baird also used his report to address the work the Stahlecker’s are doing to attempt to keep the Crookston Inn operating. Baird also said he was mad about the way people in the community used social media to call the council members and city officials cowards, drunks, and liars over the past two weeks. “Social media really made me mad,” said Baird. “Because after this, for the last two weeks, I deal with a lot of public people, for us as council members, city administration to be called cowards, drunks, liars and other names for what we did. We, as a council, as a city, and many members of this community want to see that place going. We don’t need more empty buildings, because if that would’ve sat empty, it would never open again. So, shame on you people.”
Baird also put the success of the hotels in Crookston back on the owners and operators to make successful. “You three hotels too, you need to work together to figure it out,” said Baird. “Laurie, I know you have some weddings planned. But AmericInn or Cobblestone, we’ve got a dance hall right here at the Eagles. If you want to have your dances too, there you go, let’s work together. I was tired of it and don’t rely on the CVB, Blue Line Club, Ox Cart Days, you people need to do it. We will help you; I’m not saying that, but just don’t rely on that alone.
Click below for Councilman Baird’s full statement addressing the Crookston Inn decision.
