Staff photo by Fritz Busch 209 Pub & Grill owner Herb Knutson opens the establishment in October 2022 in the building space that formerly housed Sozial, after his establishment across Minnesota Street, the Lamplighter was severely damaged by fire a month earlier. Knutson said the 209 Pub & Grill menu is similar to the Lamplighter in many ways.

NEW ULM — Kaiserhoff and 209 Pub and Grill owner Herb Knutson said the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C. prompted him to host fund-raising events for first responders and law enforcement.

“I was the only person to compete in a winter plunging event at first, raising $5,000,” he said. “Pretty soon, there were lots of jumpers at the winter plunges (at establishments he operated) in Isanti and Long Lake that raised money for the fire department It was a lot of fun getting out on the frozen lake and doing those events.”

Knutson operated a bar, restaurant and campground near Isanti more than a decade ago before coming to New Ulm to the Parade of Lights in late November.

“The Parade of Lights in New Ulm made me think of a place in a Hallmark movie,” he said.

Before long, he bought the Lamplighter Family Sports Bar & Grill at 214 Minnesota St. North.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Kaiserhoff owner Herb Knutson poses in front of a mural after buying the establishment for the second time last June. Knutson said his plans include reopening the K Bar to the public, adding a patio behind it and returning to the earlier Ray’s Salad ingredients.

His Lamplighter promotions included all-you-can-eat fish night, a meat raffle, pull tab happy hour, a text club to promote daily specials and annual plunges into a water tank on Minnesota Street to raise money.

His latest plunge fund-raisers happen in February, two weeks prior to Bockfest.

“Last February, we raised about $15,000 and donated to the New Ulm Fire and Police Departments and the Brown County Humane Society,” Knutson said.

“I enjoy supporting good causes, meeting people and making new friends every day,” he said.

While he owned the Lamplighter, an establishment well known for a wide variety of burgers and beers, across the street.

Knutson said he bought the Kaiserhoff in March 2022 because he felt it was important to the community to keep it much the same as it has been for many decades and it was a convenient arrangement.

After the Lamplighter was heavily damaged by fire in September 2022, Knutson opened the 209 Pub and Grill across the street with the intention of preserving the spirit of the Lamplighter at the new location with much of the same staff and food.

He credited his Lamplighter staff for opening the 209 Pub and Grill in time for New Ulm’s Oktoberfest festivities.

“I want to thank my staff, the City of New Ulm and my customers for making the move from the Lamplighter to the 209 Pub and Grill possible,” said Knutson.

The most popular entrees at the 209 Pub and Grill include the Lamplighter Burger with fried onions, cole slaw and American cheese; the Jimmy Z Burger with shaved ham, bacon and American cheese; the New Ulm Burger with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and 1,000 Island dressing on a pretzel bun, the 209 double cheeseburger and pretzel skins.

Knutson sold the Kaiserhoff a couple years ago but bought it back in June. One of the first things he did was bring back the earlier Ray’s Salad ingredients.

One of the things that didn’t change was Kaiserhoff Manager Jill Sellner. She’s still there and as pleasant as ever.