The Dirty Blonde Bar & Grill, the lone restaurant in Bock, Minn., has been dark since May 1 after a well-drilling project overseen by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency allegedly punched a hole beneath part of the building and ruptured its sewer line. Owners Tobey and Jennifer Berning say vibrations from the work shook the century-old structure’s foundation, and that without running water or working toilets they had no choice but to halt normal service. The closure has sidelined nine employees and cut off the primary gathering place for the town’s 78 residents.
Owners Say Drilling Shook the Bar Before Sewer Failed
The Bernings told reporters that an engineering firm working for the MPCA brought in a well-drilling crew in early April and set up rigs on the sidewalk, sending heavy vibrations through the building that rattled bottles and light fixtures inside the bar, according to the Star Tribune. A few days after the drilling wrapped up, they noticed drains slowing, dug down and say they discovered a drill hole through their drainpipe, which left the kitchen unusable. They told the paper that damage forced them to close the Dirty Blonde on May 1 while they pursue repairs.
State Agency Says It Is Working On A Fix
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency told local television that it is “aware of the situation and working with contractors on a positive resolution,” KSTP reported. The station noted that the Bernings had granted MPCA access to sample groundwater tied to a former gas station on the property, and that multiple contractors were involved in the project.
Costs, Community Impact And The Search For Accountability
The Bernings estimate that repairing the damaged sewer alone will cost about $100,000 and say they have hired legal counsel while various companies point fingers over responsibility, the Star Tribune reported. For a town with an annual budget that Mayor Adam Booth described as roughly $70,000, losing the only restaurant is a major hit to sales and property tax revenue, Booth told the paper. He also said that a similar MPCA contractor strike last summer pierced a city water line and cost about $15,000 to repair, a bill that small municipalities struggle to absorb.
Why One Damaged Pipe Can Threaten A Town
Small towns operate on thin margins, and a single business can carry an outsized share of economic activity and foot traffic; Bock counted 78 residents in the 2020 census, according to Bock, Minnesota. The city’s listing on Mille Lacs County confirms Adam Booth as mayor, the official who has warned that the restaurant’s closure could strain city finances. Neighbors have been turning out for limited takeout nights, but the owners say they need a lasting repair and clarity on who will pick up the tab before they can resume regular service.
Legal And Practical Next Steps
The Bernings have retained attorneys and are weighing their options while contractors and the MPCA discuss where liability should land. In situations like this, responsibility can fall on the drilling contractor, its subcontractors or, in some cases, the agency that hired them, but sorting that out usually requires on-site inspections and contract review. For now, the most urgent task is restoring the sewer line and getting the kitchen fully back in service so employees can return to work.
