Confederate memorabilia bar off, then on tourism website

SAUK RAPIDS, Minn. – A Benton County bar that has an extensive collection of Confederate memorabilia was removed from Minnesota’s official tourism website after receiving complaints the owner was “glorifying” the Confederacy.

But after about 30 complaints were reviewed, the listing for Rollie’s Rednecks and Longnecks in Sauk Rapids has been reinstated to the Explore MN website, which allows local agencies to maintain listings for businesses in their area.

Visit Greater St. Cloud executive director Julie Lunning tells the Star Tribune it’s up to the business owners to determine what they want to display.

“I wouldn’t assume it’s intentional to hurt anybody,” she said. “Our position is, we remain neutral. It’s a successful business, and customers can to choose to frequent that business if they want.”

Christopher Lehman, a professor at St. Cloud State University, was among those who sent letters objecting to the bar being listed on a state tourism website.

“As a taxpaying resident of Minnesota and a descendant of slaves, I do not want my tax dollars to go towards promoting a business that glorifies people who seceded from the United States to defend slavery,” Lehman wrote.