The St. Paul Fire Department received a 911 call around 3:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 14th reporting a fire at the NOOK restaurant and bar, a neighborhood place known far beyond the corner of Randolph and Hamline Avenues. For many the NOOK is all about great hamburgers and fries, for others it is a place where students, neighbors, business people and famlies gather together often - for a great burger meal.Owners Ted Casper and Mike Runyon quickly expressed concern for their 25 employees who are temporarily out of work in the heart of the holiday season and announced plans to re-open the NOOK as soon as repairs can be made, estimating it will take three to four months.
In the meantime, less than two miles away is the GROVELAND TAP, usually a competitor, who announced they will host a fundraiser this weekend with proceeds going to help out NOOK employees this holiday season. Saint Paul is a city of neighbors where the needs of people once again are paramount. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates are a community committed to continuing Jesus' mission in the world by responding to the needs of our time. It is heartening to learn that the Groveland Tap is responding to the need of NOOK employees this holiday season.
UPDATE January 3, 2011
The fundraiser at the Groveland Tap generated $6,000 for the employees of the NOOK!
