Bluenose Gopher Public House, a cooperative public house nestled in the heart of downtown Granite Falls, has received $50,000 from the Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grant Program, a program presented by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express.

This year, 50 restaurants across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands will each receive a $50,000 grant to help renovate and grow their businesses. In addition to funding, Resy, an American Express company, will waive one year of service fees for each grantee to its restaurant management software, ResyOS.

Founded in 2013 by a group of passionate local citizens, Bluenose Gopher began as a vision for a cooperative brewery and evolved into a full-fledged public house that opened its doors in 2019. Governed by a member-elected board and powered by a dedicated group of volunteers, the public house has grown into a fixture in Granite Falls, offering a welcoming space where locals and travelers alike can enjoy Minnesota-made beer, quality food, live music, community events, and the warmth of cooperative spirit.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this grant,” said Sarina Al Otaibi, Chair of Bluenose Gopher Public House’s Board of Directors. “This funding will allow us to make long-awaited improvements to the exterior of our historic building, including remodeling and rebuilding our outdoor deck and patio space, as well as updating signage to better welcome both longtime supporters and new visitors.”

“What began as a pandemic response five years ago has grown into a powerful movement to preserve the historical restaurants that shape our neighborhoods and connect generations through food,” said Madge Thomas, Head of Corporate Sustainability at American Express. “Our 2025 grantees reflect the deep-rooted food traditions that define American communities, and we hope these grants spark ripple effects that sustain them for generations.”

“These restaurants demonstrate the power that places hold. For generations, neighbors have gathered here, shared stories, made new connections, and enjoyed regional cuisine that often reflects our nation’s global roots,” said Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “We’re grateful and proud to join with American Express to help ensure that these meaningful places thrive and continue to serve as vibrant, welcoming spaces for years to come.”

This initiative is part of American Express’s broader Backing Small Businesses grant programs, which also includes the Backing International Small Restaurants initiative. Now in its fourth year, Backing International Small Restaurants has expanded to France, Spain, and New Zealand in 2025, and is aiming to award $1.45 million to 100 restaurants globally. Together with Backing Historic Small Restaurants, these two programs are planning to provide nearly $4 million in funding and resources to 150 restaurants around the world this year alone.

American Express is committed to supporting small businesses and is the proud founder of Shop Small and the Small Business Saturday® movement, which is now in its 16th year. This commitment extends into the dining industry through American Express-owned platforms like Resy and Tock, which serve over 27,000 restaurants and hospitality venues across the U.S.

For more on the 2025 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grantees, visit savingplaces.org/historicrestaurants