Some Grand Forks businesses, slowed by the pandemic, remodel for the future

Grand Forks Herald - 6/21/2020

Jun. 21--Some Grand Forks businesses are getting a fresh, new look, as they remodel during the slowdown brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

The pandemic has shut down, slowed down and brought about layoffs at businesses across the nation, but in an ironic twist, establishments not readily in the position to close down to make upgrades, now have the opportunity to do so. As the state continues on its restart plan, customers beginning to venture back out, may be in for an aesthetic surprise.

The Ground Round restaurant in Grand Forks is undergoing such a remodel, and the result will be a building that owner Matt Walkowiak says will see him through the next 10 to 15 years.

"You never want to close to the public for any length of time when things are normal, because you have business interruption," said Walkowiak. "I guess when your hand is forced and you have to do it anyways, it's a good time to take advantage of it."

Walkowiak told the Herald he used a Paycheck Protection Program loan to keep his staff employed. When the restaurant was closed to dine-in traffic, they weren't all cooking and serving, they were painting, varnishing and taking down old wallpaper in the establishment's north dining area.

The south dining room, as many customers can recall, had a recessed floor -- customers needed to step down when they entered. That's no longer the case. A local contractor was brought in and the floors have been leveled, the ceiling raised, the walls are new and there is a newly added meeting room that can accommodate 40 people, along the east wall. Walkowiak said he is calling it the Hawk Suite.

Perhaps the biggest change will be the double garage doors on the south wall, which will open onto a patio off the parking lot.

"We're going to do screens on the doors, so we'll be able to have the doors open and screens down," Walkowiak said. "If people still want the ambiance of outside, they'll be able to sit right inside the door."

The renovations will run into July, which works with his construction timeline, according to Walkowiak. The restaurant can only be open at 75% capacity, and there is only one dining room open at the moment. The bulk of his business is still coming from takeout and delivery orders.

Heather McAtee, owner of Key Bliss Boutique on 32nd Avenue South, knew she wanted to do a remodel, she just didn't know when. The pandemic made that choice for her, and she closed her shop from mid-March to late May, so she could shift to focusing on online sales. Her husband remodeled the space, which included moving walls, repainting, new flooring and new clothing racks.

The remodel allows McAtee's shop to hold more inventory and gives customers more space to move around. She said she has already heard positive feedback from customers.

"People are loving it," she said. "It just has a more bright and airy feeling."

McAtee said a PPP loan brought her staff back, her doors are open and online sales are holding strong. She said she is relieved the remodel has worked out; that something good could come about during a time of historic disruption to business, employment and health and well-being.

"Honestly, it was kind of the light during this pandemic," McAtee said.

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