Drafts Sports Bar and Grill in Crookston announced they would only be open Tuesday through Sunday for the summer and closed on Mondays. They made the decision to close down on Mondays due to lower staffing numbers, a problem many businesses in Crookston are having. They also have another hurdle with construction on Fisher Avenue, which is making it harder to get to the restraurant.
CEO/Owner Brent Melsa says that they would love to be open all seven days of the week, but its’ simply not in the cards right now. With construction on Fisher Avenue slowing business a little, it is what they have to do. “We decided because we’re short-staffed we need to find more workers before we’re able to open up all seven days” said Melsa. “I’m not sure if it’s because of the benefits from unemployment or why people aren’t applying but we’ve seen a drastic drop in applications.”
Drafts will also be looking into getting some more live music this summer along with a few potential remodeling projects in the future. “We’ve done a cornhole league the last three years on Thursday nights and that’s gone over pretty well,” said Melsa. “We’ve talked about putting a sand volleyball pit in, although I’m not sure if it’ll be anytime soon, it’ll be a project that we look to take on when the time is right.”
Drafts will host a band on September 25 with “No Stone Unturned” with Crookston native Don Beiswenger.
Even though Drafts won’t be open Mondays for the time being, their weekly specials will be staying the same. “We will be doing ribs on Friday, and we’ve moved the build your own Mac and Cheese to Tuesday so that people can still do that if they want,” said Melsa.
Melsa admits the summer isn’t going to be the same with hours being different and the construction out in front of the restaurant on Fisher Avenue, but he says that is no reason for people not to stop by. “It’s going to be a little different summer with the construction out front, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get out to Drafts and have some fun.”
