Council OKs Sweet Haven Tonics outdoor patio, multiple downtown liquor extensions and Sip-and-Shop permits

The New Ulm City Council on Tuesday approved a temporary outdoor patio application for Sweet Haven Tonics at 116 North Minnesota Street, authorized extensions of liquor privileges into Minnesota Street for several downtown events, approved routine annual license renewals and granted temporary on-sale liquor licenses for a June 19 Sip-and-Shop event.

A council motion approved Sweet Haven Tonics' temporary outdoor patio in the public right-of-way from May 21 to Nov. 1, 2025, and extended the business’s liquor license into the patio area subject to conditions outlined in the application. A council member said, "I greatly appreciate these downtown parklets. I think they provide a wonderful opportunity for socializing outdoors," and councilors expressed support for permitting similar temporary parklets downtown.

Earlier in the meeting the council approved multiple authorizations to extend liquor service into Minnesota Street for organized events run by downtown businesses and groups. The council also approved the issuance of several annual liquor licenses for the 2025–2026 licensing year (effective July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026) and a separate short-term annual license for the Pinball Place to cover June 1–30 while it renews with the broader licensing cycle.

On the meeting addendum the council approved two temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor licenses for the New Ulm Small Business Owners Group’s Sip-and-Shop on June 19, 2025; the two locations named were Gallery 512 and Adesanya Floral and Gift. All approvals were subject to compliance with city and state licensing requirements and were adopted by roll call.