Swing Barrel Brewing Company — and other Moorhead businesses — wait to open its doors to the public

MOORHEAD — With many retail stores able to open in Minnesota, a few local businesses will have to remain closed.

One local brewery is delaying its grand opening for the second time.

Swing Barrel Brewing Company's owners, Sean Syverson and John Kapla, originally planned to open thier brewery during late March, just in time for baseball season.

This plan did not pan out as the number of coronavirus cases continued to rise and caused many businesses to close and large-scale events to be canceled.

"It's been a struggle to kind of find a way to pivot," Kapla said.

They didn't get an off-sale license before March, so it has been difficult to turn a profit. They are finally canning some of their freshly brewed creations. On Monday, May 18 they sealed a sweet flavored beer.

"We're canning up our Honey Blonde Bombshell, a very very delicious, light, easy drinker," Kapla explained. "Nice honey aroma, excellent porch beer."

They are expecting to have an off-sale license by this Saturday, making money for the first time nearly two months after their planned opening.

"We definitely want to be as safe as we need to be," Kapla said.

The pair of friends cannot offer dine-in options yet, but their next-door neighbor, Nature of the North, could open today, but owner Jon Walters said they are choosing to stick with online services for a couple of weeks.

Walter said the businesses who all operate out of 814 Center Avenue have a history of cooperation instead competition.

"We've all kind of been in this together, even before COVID," Walters said. "We're all building our spaces out together and sharing with some of the rough days and the ups and downs."

Owners of Swing Barrel Brewing, Nature of the North, Hot Dog Pet Salon and The Healing Arts Revolution are calling themselves "the Team at 814" a group of business owners opening for the first time this year with the added challenge of dealing with the pandemic. They all share the same building at 814 Center Avenue in Moorhead.

While retail stores can open in Minnesota starting today, things like barber shops, hair and nail salons, and tattoo parlors are not able to open yet. Restaurants and bars are still limited to curbside.