New Ownership at Last Chance Pub & Grub

McGREGOR, Minn.— A familiar face behind the bar is now the official owner of one of McGregor’s longtime gathering spots. As of June 1, Cindy Kerrick has purchased Last Chance Pub & Grub, stepping into ownership after years of friendship, bartending shifts, and encouragement from the previous owners.

Kerrick is the sister of former owner Donnie Fitzsimonds (Becky Reno Knoop), who helped build the bar’s reputation as a local favorite known for its casual atmosphere, regular events, and steady community crowd.

What began as a retirement plan for Kerrick slowly turned into a new chapter in business ownership.

“I was at home retired. I was tired,” Kerrick said, reflecting on her decision. After stepping away from previous work in long-term care and corporate roles, she had no immediate plans to return to business ownership. “I had been retired and kind of staying at home, and I didn’t have that activity. I was bored.”

For a time, Kerrick occasionally helped out behind the bar, working Sunday shifts alongside Becky Reno Knoop. Over the winter, she spent more time learning the rhythm of the business from both Fitzsimonds and Knoop, who had occasionally floated the idea of her taking over.

“They would say, ‘Do you want to buy the bar?’ And I would say, ‘No, I’m retired,’” Kerrick said. “Then one day I thought, you know, it’s fun here. I just have fun. So I called Becky and said, ‘Yeah, I think I’ll buy the bar.’”

The decision quickly gained momentum. Knoop, preparing for a move to Texas and seeking more balance in her own life, welcomed the transition.

“She was all excited,” Kerrick said. “She just needed work-life balance.”

Kerrick emphasized that stepping into ownership feels less like a leap into the unknown and more like a continuation of something she already understands.

“I enjoy it. I’m not coming into something that’s unknown. I feel like I’ve been having fun with everything.”

While Kerrick’s professional background includes managing demanding schedules in healthcare and corporate environments—often working 60 to 80 hours a week—she said the energy of a busy establishment feels familiar.

“I just like being around people,” she said. “When I was retired and staying at home, I didn’t have that activity.”

Keeping traditions, adding new ideas

Under Kerrick’s ownership, many of the bar’s popular traditions will remain in place, including games, community events, and the casual atmosphere that regulars have come to expect.
“We’re going to do the same games and the same activities,” she said. “And throw a little crazy stuff in there now and then.”

Some updates are also planned, particularly around food offerings. Kerrick hopes to expand the menu with more variety, including additional appetizers, salads, and lighter summer options. A refreshed menu is expected to be finalized by mid-July after customer feedback is gathered.
“I want to introduce some healthier summer foods and get feedback from people as we go,” she said.

From seasonal bartender to owner

Kerrick’s path to ownership included a gradual introduction to bartending, beginning with limited shifts and eventually leading to more regular involvement during the winter season.

“Zero experience before this winter,” she said with a laugh about bartending and restaurant work prior to stepping in more seriously.

That hands-on experience helped her build familiarity with customers and daily operations, something she says made the transition feel natural.

Looking ahead

Kerrick is also planning for seasonal changes in operations, including adjusted winter hours and expanded winter activities such as games and community events. Summer hours will continue Wednesday through Sunday, with potential adjustments in the colder months depending on staffing and demand.

Breakfast service is also being considered for weekends during winter months.

One of the biggest challenges, she acknowledged, remains staffing in a small community.

“That’s been the biggest obstacle in McGregor,” she said. “I’ve witnessed it for many years.”

Still, Kerrick says the strongest asset of the business is its people.

“The customers are wonderful. I couldn’t ask for better customers,” she said. “It feels very homey. I feel very comfortable.”

As she settles into ownership, Kerrick sees the transition not as a dramatic shift, but as a continuation of a place already rooted in community connection.

“It’ll be fun,” she said. “It’ll be challenging, but it’ll be worth it.”

Also in the June 9th edition of the Voyageur Press:

• New school records in high school track & field

• Small Town Strong: McGregor Responders fill Emergency Care Gap

• Recipes from the Biblical Nutritionist

• Baseball team is headed to state!

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