Owatonna Chamber Reacts to New Restrictions

With COVID concerns soaring, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced a new Executive Order on Tuesday to go into effect on Friday. The President/CEO of the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Brad Meier encourages residents to do what they can to support local establishments.

Restrictions include in-person service ending at bars and restaurants at 10 pm. Further limits according to the chamber's Tuesday Talk e-newsletter, "Wedding receptions and related events are dialed back to 50 people on November 27 and 25 people after December 11. Private gatherings should be limited to 10 people from no more than three households." Read the Executive Order here.

Meier says to support local bars and restaurants, "Go there for lunch and dinner, buy gift certificates for employees in place of your holiday gatherings, shop local." Go here for a list chamber member bars and restaurants.

Retail occupancy was increased to 100-percent. Meier called that, "a bit of good news."

Other notes from Tuesday Talk:

• The United Way of Steele County and the chamber are scheduled to host Business After Hours on Tuesday, November 17 at 5:30 pm at Torey's Restaurant and Bar at 208 N. Cedar Ave in downtown Owatonna.
• The chamber announces that the Minnesota Retailers Association is hosting a "Retail Roundtable" on Friday, November 13 at 9:30 am.