MANKATO, Minn — Editor's note: The video above first aired on KARE 11 in June 2024.
A beloved southern Minnesota store demolished in June due to flooding has reopened in a new location in downtown Mankato.
The Rapidan Dam Store's new home is the old Wagon Wheel Cafe on Front Street.
The Hruska family — who own the well-known store for its homemade pies — said the former cafe was remodeled to bring back a similar look and feel of the old Dam Store.
Originally, the Hruska family wanted to rebuild in Rapidan but found out that wouldn't be possible following the flood damage caused by the swollen Blue Earth River at the end of June.
The Dam Store has been owned by the Hruska family since 1972 and the store itself has been in business since 1910.
The roaring Blue Earth River in June was well-publicized as it collapsed river banks and overflowed the Rapidan Dam, eventually toppling Hruska's nearby home into the river.