J H Lynner Company

Closed since 2014, the former Friendship Cafe (located in the strip mall across the street from city hall) was once a central fixture in the community. Clarkfield has struggled to attract a permanent full-time cafe, but community leaders are optimistic that a solution may be just around the corner.Since the closure of the cafe, the Clarkfield EDA has been closely involved with efforts to refurbish the space and find a new owner. Last year, Steve Lindholm, President and owner of F&M Bank, donated the vacant cafe to the EDA, which now owns the space under a 5-year retainer agreement. “The goal of the donation agreement is to help the cafe become self-sustaining over the next five years,” said Deputy City Clerk Teather Bliss.Lindholm strongly believes that the reopening of the cafe is an important priority for Clarkfield. He explained that a new cafe will provide a functional, social, and commercial benefit to the community, adding that it “plays a critical function” in town. He argues that having a shared space helps keep the community together, in addition to attracting visitors and investors alike. A new cafe will also present a unique public space available to residents for hosting community events.At the same time, Lindholm acknowledges the realities of owning and running a restaurant in a small town. “To overcome that,” he explained, “we wanted to meet the needs of the community as well as provide an economically viable business model for a new owner.” This was why Lindholm decided to donate the space and kitchen equipment to the EDA, which he thought was a good vehicle through which to redevelop the cafe.Bliss explained that the EDA will be on hand throughout the remaining four years of the donation agreement to assist any potential owner, rather than just “dumping it on them and letting them flounder.” Additionally, the space is being offered rent free during this period, another benefit that Bliss hopes will attract interested parties. Prospective owners will therefore have additional time to fully weigh their choices before purchasing the property ... (Granite Falls Advocate Tribune)