Owatonna Chamber Welcomes End of ‘the Pause’

Hopefully it's not too little too late. Businesses have struggled through the most recent 'pause' enacted by the governor to battle the pandemic. On Wednesday he announced a loosening of restrictions on restaurants, bars, fitness centers and entertainment facilities. In a letter dated January 5 and authored by Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism (OACCT) President Brad Meier, he writes, "The timing is imperative right now to save these businesses-if you wait much longer, they will lost their ability to keep operating in our community."

Meier also stated, "In a recent poll of our local restaurants, 62% of them state that carry out/take out made almost no impact to their bottom line when faced with the decrease in business. Things are different than in the spring when the closures were new and people were motivated to spend on take out."

Meier's letter, also co-signed by Kelly Boomgarden, OACCT Board Chair and GM of Country Inn and Suites of Owatonna, is included in this week edition of the chamber's weekly e-newsletter Tuesday Talk.

The chamber has named their new board members. Brian Deml of Deml Heating and Air Conditioning, Doug Meier of Christian Bros. Cabinets, and Tom Peterson from Climate by Design will start their three-year terms at the chamber's annual dinner.

Winners were announced for the Downtown Owatonna Holiday Window Contest. A Family First Insurance Agency and Owatonna Heating and Cooling were judged the top two and received Chamber Bucks as a prize.

Tuesday Talk included several member news items.

• Access Tonna Lock announced new owners.
• Holland Family Dental's Dr. Tim Holland was named as an officer with the Minnesota Dental Association.
• Little Theatre of Owatonna introduced their cast for "CLUE: On Stage."
• Owatonna Foundation reached the $1 million dollar mark in fundraising in 2020.
• RE/MAX Venture welcomed a new agent.