Latest news with #MinnesotaRenaissanceFestival
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
More closures in St. Paul, with brewery and American pub the latest to call it quits
Minnesota's only gluten-free brewery and a Mac-Groveland bar are the latest businesses set to close in St. Paul. Coming in a week in which the Apostle Supper Club announced its closure, citing the decline of downtown St. Paul among its reasons, Burning Brothers Brewery and Chip's Clubhouse are also on the way out. Burning Brothers Brewery, located at 1750 Thomas Ave. W. near the Hamline-Midway YMCA, confirmed that its final day of taproom operations will be Saturday, May 10. The brewery was opened in 2014 by former Minnesota Renaissance Festival performers Thom Foss and Dane Breimhorst, the latter of whom has Celiac disease. "After much consideration, deliberation, discussion, and many difficult heartfelt conversations, we have come to the incredibly heart-wrenching conclusion that we unfortunately cannot continue operations," they said. "The factors affecting this decision are numerous, complex, and varied, and we have fought hard to avoid reaching this point, but alas, the day we had hoped to avoid has arrived." Another closure, albeit a quieter one, is Chip's Clubhouse, the American pub at 272 Snelling Ave. S. A sign on the door announced the abrupt closure, but there has been no official announcement on the business's social media pages or website. "Sadly, we've made the difficult decision to permanently close our doors. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your incredible support over the years. We will cherish the memories made within these walls," the sign reads. Chip's opened in 2021 initially under an ownership team that included pastry chef Tara Coleman, who owns Hot Hands Pie & Biscuit next door. The venue was sold in February 2024 to chef Nik Donaker. Businesses at the Grand and Snelling intersection are facing disruptions from road construction, which began in April.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
Four-alarm fire destroys multiple buildings on Renaissance Festival grounds
A dozen commercial buildings on the Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds in Shakopee were destroyed by a four-alarm fire on Thursday night, authorities said. The Shakopee Fire Department received reports of the fire shortly after 6 p.m. The first engine left the station immediately and arrived 14 minutes later because of the distance between the station and the festival grounds between U.S. 169 and the Minnesota River, according to a Facebook post by the department. While they were on their way, a large smoke column could be seen, so fire officials called for more help, upgrading the call to a two-alarm blaze. When firefighters arrived, they encountered 'heavy fire conditions involving multiple connected commercial structures, which included retail shops and food vendors.' A four-alarm fire was called and support from 10 area fire departments was needed to fight the blaze as well as help with other coverage in Shakopee. 'Water supply proved to be a significant challenge,' officials said, noting that the festival grounds are not connected to a city water system 'requiring water tenders to shuttle water from hydrants nearly eight minutes away.' In addition, officials said, access to the festival grounds was 'further complicated by unlit, minimally maintained gravel roads, recent rainfall, and challenging terrain not designed for large emergency vehicles.' The full extent of the damage is still being assessed. One firefighter from Shakopee was struck by a fire hose and had a minor injury that was treated at the scene, officials said. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation by state and local investigators, but it broke out as thunderstorms were moving through the area. Renaissance Festival organizers said they were making plans to rebuild and that the event celebrating Elizabethan England would open as planned on Aug. 16. Ramsey County to pay $3.6M to family of hemophiliac who died after 2022 arrest, jailing After fire at St. Paul church, owner wants to secure steeple, return to ministering Steeple fire at historic St. Paul church likely sparked by lightning 'Know every move you're making': Stillwater prison inmates learn life lessons playing chess Athena Bitcoin asks Stillwater to repeal cryptocurrency ATM ban
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fire at Renaissance Festival grounds destroys at least 10 structures
The Brief A fire on the Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds destroyed six buildings and 6-10 other structures. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but authorities say lightning could have been a contributing factor. Renaissance Festival organizers say they plan to rebuild and still open in August. SHAKOPEE, Minn. (FOX 9) - Several structures were destroyed by a fire on the Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds Thursday. The backstory Shakopee city officials say that several buildings were engulfed in flames on the Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds. The fire started around 6 p.m., and due to a lack of water in the area, it was difficult to contain. Officials say there are water wells on the property, which are turned off during the winter, so water had to be shuttled in from hydrants about eight minutes away. Fire crews also struggled to gain access to the site due to the low-maintained gravel roads and recent rainfall, making it difficult for large emergency vehicles to navigate. Once at the scene, firefighters found a heavy fire in multiple connected commercial structures, with about five buildings fully engulfed. By 8 p.m. the fire was mostly extinguished. Authorities say that six buildings and 6-10 other structures were all lost. The buildings included retail and food shops. A firefighter was injured after he was hit by a fire hose. He was treated at the scene and returned to duty. What we don't know The cause of the fire is currently unknown and is being investigated. Authorities say it is possible that lightning could be the cause. It's reported there were four lightning strikes within a mile of the grounds, and two lightning strikes reported within a half-mile. What they're saying Minnesota Renaissance Festival organizers provided the following statement regarding the fire: "We were notified shortly after 6:00 PM that a fire had broken out on the grounds of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Emergency crews responded quickly, and the fire was largely contained thanks to the rapid and coordinated efforts of local fire departments. At this time, the cause of the fire remains under investigation, and we are happy to share that no injuries have been reported. We are incredibly grateful to the fire departments from Shakopee, Jordan, Chaska, Belle Plaine, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, Carver, Mdewakanton, and Prior Lake, as well as the Scott County Sheriff's Office and Allina Health, for their incredible response and support during this incident. While we are heartbroken by the damage, we are already looking ahead. The Minnesota Renaissance Festival community is resilient, and we will work to rebuild and bring back the magic as soon as possible. We will share more updates as information becomes available." Renaissance Festival organizers say once the investigation is complete, they will begin to rebuild and plan to still open in August. Three artisans were impacted by the fire, with their booths being burned down, organizers said. The Source Press releases from the City of Shakopee and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, along with past FOX 9 reporting.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fire breaks out on Renaissance Festival grounds; multiple buildings destroyed
Multiple buildings are destroyed after a fire broke out on the Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds on Thursday, according to authorities. The Shakopee Fire Department said crews from approximately 12 fire departments responded to the outdoor fire, which was reported around 6 p.m. A lack of water supply in the area created difficult conditions for firefighters and multiple buildings were impacted, according to the department. KARE 11 reports a dozen storefronts were destroyed. They were located in five structures that were connected by wood. According to fire officials, there were no injuries reported and the fire was mostly extinguished by 8 p.m. The cause of the fire hasn't been revealed, but there is speculation that it could've been the result of lightning. Bring Me The News has reached out to the festival's operator, Mid-America Festivals, for more information.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Several buildings caught fire at Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds
The Brief A fire broke out at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds Thursday evening. Several buildings were on fire, which was difficult to contain due to lack of water in the area. Authorities say 12 departments responded to the fire. SHAKOPEE, Minn. (FOX 9) - Multiple buildings caught fire on the Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds Thursday evening. What we know Shakopee city officials say that several buildings were engulfed in flames on the Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds. The fire started around 6 p.m., and due to a lack of water in the area, it was difficult to contain, officials say. By 8 p.m. the fire was mostly extinguished. About 12 fire departments responded to the fire. What we don't know Authorities did not say if there were any injuries due to the fire. The number of buildings impacted is currently unknown, as is the cause of the fire. The Source A press release from the City of Shakopee.
