Longtime Friends Open New Restaurant and Bar in Inver Grove Heights

Brandon Bramscher is not too proud to admit that he was a nervous wreck on the opening day of his new business, B-52 Burgers & Brew in Inver Grove Heights.

Bramscher, who opened the restaurant and bar last Thursday with long-time friend and co-owner Mark Reese, said he spent much of the restaurant’s debut day obsessing over the menus, potential glitches in the restaurant’s computer system and the overall experience of the restaurant’s guests.

Despite the tough case of butterflies, opening day went smoothly for the pair of newly minted restaurant owners, who met more than seven years ago when they were working together at a business in Apple Valley. Their new endeavor, located at the site of the former Majors Sports Café along Bishop Avenue, is a roomy restaurant and bar filled with plenty of flat-screen TVs.

Bramscher, who purchased Majors late last year, knew from the get-go that he wanted to convert the existing franchise into a new restaurant and bar — one modeled after his own entrepreneurial vision. Bramscher, 39, has a background in restaurant management — having spent much of the last seven years managing anything from Old Chicago eateries to a fine-dining establishment in Austin, Texas. He found a willing business partner in Reese, who impressed Bramscher when they first met with his customer service skills and positive attitude.

Over the past several months, the two have been working diligently to prepare the new restaurant for its opening, coming up with a menu, renovating the building and hiring 16 additional full- and part-time employees, bringing the restaurant’s total employment roster to 45 positions.

B-52, they hope, will become a relaxing restaurant and watering hole for the community. To set the restaurant and bar apart, the pair has created a series of quirky weekly specials and events, including a “Free Bacon Night” on Tuesday. They’ve also invested in vintage video game equipment and board games, which they plan to make available for restaurant patrons.

Bramscher and Reese, both Woodbury residents, are also looking to get involved in Inver Grove Heights, whether it be hosting charity dinners at B-52 or donating a portion of a night’s proceeds from the restaurant to organizations or individuals in need.

“I just knew that I wanted a place where people could chuck away all their cares and worries at the door, where people could come and relax for a couple of hours,” Bramscher said. “I’d like to be first on everybody’s mind when they think of a great burger and a good brew.”