StillwaterEats: Rafters Rooftop Patio is Open

After 18 months, and three redesigns, the rooftop patio at Rafters Bar and Grill in downtown Stillwater opened Friday afternoon.

“It’s been a long haul,” Owner Larry Cramer said Friday afternoon. “It’s time to celebrate.”

The new rooftop patio—a Brazilian hardwood deck, with seven four-top and three high-top tables and wonderful 360-degree view of downtown Stillwater—will seat 30 people.

With the opening of the patio, Cramer will also roll out a new menu offering seasonal specials, and featuring finer foods such as shrimp cocktail, oysters and steaks.

“This patio allows us to do a lot of new things,” Cramer said. “We designed that patio for a different clientele.”

Rafters has always been a place where people ages 21 to 30 come on the weekends, Cramer said. This was planned for people who want to enjoy what this town has to offer, but not have to be surrounded by live entertainment.

“Even though we have a beautiful view from inside, it’s Minnesota, summers are short and people want to be outside,” Cramer said. “Without this patio, we can’t compete down here. We were getting killed.”

Depending on the weather, Cramer said with a few heat lamps he hopes to keep the patio open through October.

“In the fall it’s going to be unbelievable up here,” Cramer said looking out over the St. Croix River. “We want to generate excitement. We think the more people who come here, the more people who will talk about it. And we think the more people who come to town for this view, will spend money at shops all over downtown.”

Cramer said he plans to open the patio at 10:30 a.m., and in the near future, he may begin to serve Sunday brunch.

“You know how it is. You come downtown in the morning, and it’s glorious,” Cramer said.

“I bet on this town’s future. I didn’t just bet that my business would make it, but I bet that this will be good for our town, and our town will do it. I’m putting my money where my mouth is. I hope some other people do, and I hope the city does, too. Everybody’s got to step up to change this town.”

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