RAPIDAN TOWNSHIP, Minn. — Signs and memorabilia are the few items left after the Hruska family was forced to say goodbye to their business of more than half a century.
On Friday, the Rapidan Dam Store was purchased by Blue Earth County and demolished to prevent it from falling into the Blue Earth River.
This comes after the parental home fell into the river earlier in the week.
“You have to forget about it and just move on,” David Hruska said.
David Hruska and his sister Jenny Barnes said their job is to stay positive while looking forward to the return of their Rapidan Dam Store.
“In our hearts we really want to rebuild and hopefully start over,” Jenny Hruska said.
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Lynae Albrecht and her 6-year-old son Roger discovered the Rapidan Dam Store during COVID-19.
“We miss cake and we miss Jenny,” Albrecht said.
The two are at La Plaza Fiesta in Madelia, where the owners give up a share of the profits — 15% on Sunday — back to the Hruskas.
“My heart went out because we have experienced our own natural disasters here,” said Krystal Hernandez, co-owner of La Plaza Fiesta.
Hernandez knows loss well. Her original restaurant in Madelia burned down in 2016.
“I know what it’s like to live in the unknown,” Hernandez said. “We wouldn’t be here without everyone who helped us.”
The benefit even generated new customers.
“Just because they knew we were doing the fundraiser,” Hernandez said.
“We are all here to support them,” Albrecht said.
Barnes and Hruska said they received the message of support loud and clear. An online fundraiser has raised more than $60,000 for the Hruska family.
“Thank you all. We really appreciate everything you’ve done and it just keeps coming,” Barnes said.
