Minneapolis sun worshippers and beachgoers might soon have a reason to toast while toasting their buns on the sands of Nokomis Main Beach. Efforts to allow The Painted Turtle, a lakeside concessionaire, to sell beer and wine are finally bubbling up to the surface, as detailed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

The bureaucratic entanglement, partly due to a state law requiring covered seating for alcohol sales, has been a sober obstacle for The Painted Turtle. However, plans for a new structure that adheres to this stipulation are moving forward. With footings and foundation work in progress, the establishment is building toward boozier beach outings – provided Minneapolis City Council adopts the changes post-legislative approval, and with a little luck, the cork could pop on these sales by mid-summer.

In a bulletin from MPRB, details of the construction emerged: an indoor seating area with a refreshing roll-up garage door and an expansive shaded patio are part of the plans, along with extra space for cooling beverages. But the MPRB isn't just relying on construction savvy to solve the dilemma, they've turned lobbyist, pushing for a state law change that would allow The Painted Turtle to bypass the whole covered seating kerfuffle.

Community backing, it seems, has been instrumental throughout the saga. "The MPRB and The Painted Turtle are incredibly grateful for the wonderful support received from the Nokomis community over the past year" as stated by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Preparations for the seating area are being made for fall, which aims to boost local spirits by expanding the concessions season and dodging weather woes, come rain, or more uncomfortable elements.