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Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.”

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 In-Home Care Hastings, MN

How does In-home Senior Care in Hastings, MN work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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 Senior Care Hastings, MN

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

Comfort
Comfort

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them? A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Hastings, MN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors. Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

Independence
Independence

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like an assisted living community. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care in Hastings, MN gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.


Respite Care Hastings, MN

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Hastings,MN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

 Caregivers Hastings, MN

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

An assessment of your senior loved one

01

An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

02

Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

03

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

Latest News in Hastings, MN

Hastings Creamery closes, leaving an uncertain future for employees and farmers

In June, The Metropolitan Council temporarily cut the creamery off from the sewer after it said it leaked thousands of gallons of milk and cream into the system.HASTINGS, Minn — On a hot day like this, Hastings Dairy Store is busy serving up ice cream and shakes.But manager Jamie Broskoff says it's more than heat bringing people in -- the 110-year-old Hastings Creamery shut down last week."They came to work last week, and were told, 'We're closing tomorrow,'" she said.In June, The Metropolitan Coun...

In June, The Metropolitan Council temporarily cut the creamery off from the sewer after it said it leaked thousands of gallons of milk and cream into the system.

HASTINGS, Minn — On a hot day like this, Hastings Dairy Store is busy serving up ice cream and shakes.

But manager Jamie Broskoff says it's more than heat bringing people in -- the 110-year-old Hastings Creamery shut down last week.

"They came to work last week, and were told, 'We're closing tomorrow,'" she said.

In June, The Metropolitan Council temporarily cut the creamery off from the sewer after it said it leaked thousands of gallons of milk and cream into the system.

"We were kind of been working with them for several months to try to find options to keep them going," said Thom Petersen, the commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Petersen thought the creamery was heading in the right direction after passing several inspections.

"The challenges just added up to too much," he said.

Petersen said he is hopeful a buyer would be interested in taking the plant over.

KARE 11 reached out to the owners to see what would happen with their employees and nearly 50 dairy farmers from Minnesota and Wisconsin who sold to them. They did not immediately respond.

"For the dairy farmers in Minnesota that I've been talking to, it's been a really rough three months," said Lucas Sjostrom, the executive director at Minnesota Milk Producers Association.

Sjostrom said it will be hard for farmers to get a buyer for their product.

"That's partially due to low prices, partially due to the processing capacity we've had in the Upper Midwest in recent months," he said.

Broskoff said while the dairy store's future is uncertain, one of the creamery's owners told her they will try to keep the doors of the shop open.

"We have kids to support, paying a mortgage and car payments and stuff," she said.

Stephanie Maus owns Stephy Jo's, a bakery in Prescott. She says she comes to the dairy store on a weekly basis because of the quality and affordability.

"It makes me sad," she said. "A lot of people come here for their milk. This is the only milk they'll drink."

David Roeller lives in Newport. He said he notices the taste in the milk and goes to the store which is out of his way.

"It brings people to the community," he said. "It's nice to know where your milk is coming from."

The Metropolitan Council said in a statement that it spent several months partnering with the creamery and other organizations and it will continue doing so to ensure the safety of the community and to support the business and its workers.

According to Petersen, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is helping workers find similar jobs.

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Mississippi River reaches major flood stage in Hastings

HASTINGS, Minn. -- Part of the Mississippi River reached major flood stage Thursday for the first time this spring.It happened in Hastings where several people stopped by the Riverwalk to see it."It's been this high many times, but it's always exciting to see it when it does," said Dick Spicer, a longtime resident.Major flood stage is the level where experts say the water begins to impact people's day-to-day lives.Some Hastings homes have water in their sheds and garages. Drivers are dea...

HASTINGS, Minn. -- Part of the Mississippi River reached major flood stage Thursday for the first time this spring.

It happened in Hastings where several people stopped by the Riverwalk to see it.

"It's been this high many times, but it's always exciting to see it when it does," said Dick Spicer, a longtime resident.

Major flood stage is the level where experts say the water begins to impact people's day-to-day lives.

Some Hastings homes have water in their sheds and garages. Drivers are dealing with road closures around town.

MORE: Mississippi River now expected to crest 3 feet above major flood stage in St. Paul

"I got to go like 10 minutes out of the way because this is closed," said Nate Myers. "I live just up the road. Getting up earlier and getting home later."

Craig Schmidt, a National Weather Service hydrologist, says this week's rain boosted their water level prediction by half a foot.

"We've still got four, five days of rising until we get to the crest," Schmidt said. "Then we're going to stay at that level probably for a good week before it finally starts to go down."

This is the third time since 2014 the Mississippi has reached major flood stage.

David Schuman

David joined the WCCO team in April 2020, previously working at CBS 58 in Milwaukee. Prior to that, he worked in Las Vegas. While there, David covered several stories in the national spotlight, including the October 1 mass shooting and political visits from President Barack Obama and candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

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LIST: Free Meals on Thanksgiving

If you or someone you know is in need and looking for a place to get a free Thanksgiving Day meal, here is a list of places and events in the metro area and greater Minnesota.Minneapolis/St. PaulSalvation Army Harbor Light Center (Minneapolis): Free breakfast served from 5:30-6:30 a.m. In addition to breakfast, hygiene kits and to-go sandwiches and pastries will be handed out.Location: 1010 Currie Avenue, Minneapolis, MNAtonement Lutheran Church: A ...

If you or someone you know is in need and looking for a place to get a free Thanksgiving Day meal, here is a list of places and events in the metro area and greater Minnesota.

Minneapolis/St. Paul

Salvation Army Harbor Light Center (Minneapolis): Free breakfast served from 5:30-6:30 a.m. In addition to breakfast, hygiene kits and to-go sandwiches and pastries will be handed out.

Location: 1010 Currie Avenue, Minneapolis, MN

Atonement Lutheran Church: A free Thanksgiving meal is served at 11:30 a.m. The church has room to feed 75 people and asks folks to call and sign up for a spot. Call the church office at 952-881-9244.

Location: 601 E 98th St, Minneapolis, MN

Faith Deliverance Holiness Church: A free Thanksgiving dinner will be hosted at Faith Deliverance Holiness Church in conjunction with other organizations from 1:30-4:30 p.m. For more information visit StartAnewMN.org.

Location: Faith Deliverance Holiness Church, 1119 Morgan Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN

Thanksgiving Service & Food at The “Purpose” Church: A free Thanksgiving meal will take place at The “Purpose” Church from 2-5 p.m. A Thanksgiving service precedes the meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.?

Location: The “Purpose” Church, 3001 Russell Ave., N., Minneapolis, MN

Shobi’s Table: Free Thanksgiving meals will be served from 12-2 p.m. at Christ on Capitol Hill church. Guests are asked to RSVP to the Gratitude Feast by emailing [email protected].

Location: 105 University Ave. W., St. Paul, MN

Metro Area

Hastings: The Resurrection United Methodist Church is hosting a free Thanksgiving meal from 10-11 a.m.

Location: 615 15th Ave. W., Hastings, MN

New Prague: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will be holding a free Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: 1300 Main St E., New Prague, MN

Savage: Glendale United Methodist Church is serving a free Thanksgiving meal from 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. People are welcome to stay and play board games or cards after eating.

Location: 13550 Glendale Rd., Savage, MN

Woodbury: The Fellowship Church is hosting a free community Thanksgiving meal from 12-3 p.m.

Location: 707 Commerce Dr., Woodbury, MN

Greater Minnesota

New Ulm: The New Ulm community will be providing a free meal for people to sit down and eat in-person, takeout to eat elsewhere or for free home delivery from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: St Mary’s Church, 417 South Minnesota Street, New Ulm, MN

Faribault: The Faribault community will provide a free Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Anyone needing a meal delivered to them should call 507-332-7357 for arrangements.

Location: Faribault Eagles #1460, 2027 Grant St., Faribault, MN

Ely: The Ely Folk School will be hosting a Thanksgiving potluck from 3-5 p.m. Bringing a dish to share is suggested, but not required to come and eat.

Location: 209 E. Sheridan Street, Ely, MN

Wyoming: The Linwood Covenant Church will host a free Thanksgiving day meal from 12-3 p.m. People can come get their takeout meals starting and noon. Those wishing to sit down and eat at the church can do so starting at 12:30 p.m. Reservations are encouraged, but not required, and can be made by calling coordinator Judy Steven at 651-464-1986, calling the church office at 651-462-3780 or emailing [email protected].

Location: 6565 Vikings Blvd. NE, Wyoming, MN

$221M overhaul planned for Hastings veterans campus

Listen to this articleThe Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs’ Hastings campus has long provided homes and services for people who served in the military. But the outdated residential buildings on the campus — a former state hospital dating to the early 1900s — are showing their age.Six of the 20 buildings are beyond their “useful life” and deferred maintenance needs top $24 million, the department says. What’s more, security is “difficult to maintain,” a public road separate...

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The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs’ Hastings campus has long provided homes and services for people who served in the military. But the outdated residential buildings on the campus — a former state hospital dating to the early 1900s — are showing their age.

Six of the 20 buildings are beyond their “useful life” and deferred maintenance needs top $24 million, the department says. What’s more, security is “difficult to maintain,” a public road separates residents from services, and rooms are “double occupancy” with bathrooms down the hall.

The department is pushing ahead with plans for a $221.1 million project to address those and other issues on the campus, which overlooks the Vermillion River at 1200 18th St. E.

On Monday, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs issued a project-related request for design services. Proposals are due Aug. 28 and the MDVA, through the State Designer Selection Board, hopes to select a design firm in late September.

The project cost includes $194.1 million for construction and $28 million for planning. The state is covering roughly a third of the project’s cost, $77.77 million, and is seeking $144.4 million from the federal government.

The state’s share covers “predesign, design, demolition, and construction of replacement administrative and residential infrastructure,” according to the RFP.

A capital improvement study recommends demolition of five buildings. The plan is to replace those structures with one building, which will consolidate veterans housing, services and support spaces, according to a project narrative.

For 45 years, the Hastings campus has provided domiciliary care for veterans. Services include mental, chemical, and medical support for veterans who require “less than skilled levels of care,” the department says.

The MDVA’s domiciliary program serves 148 veterans.

The designer selection RFP comes about five months after media reports surfaced of a “toxic workplace” at the Hastings campus. A Pioneer Press report detailed whistleblower allegations of an environment unsafe for workers and residents.

In March, MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke told a legislative committee that the department takes the allegations seriously. In addition, Herke said the department was moving forward with a “corrective action plan” and was bringing in new leadership at the campus, among other measures.

The MDVA expects to begin construction in two years. When the project is complete in 2028, residents will have “apartment-style” private living units, a host of new amenities, and spaces linking veterans to services, according to the MDVA.

Designed to create more privacy and encourage “emotional growth” for residents, the new building will offer “a living environment for the veterans that provides stability, encourages meaning and supports their physical well-being and mental health,” the project narrative notes.

Deferred maintenance has long been a concern at the Hastings campus. A 2018 media tour revealed leaky pipes, outdated windows and other shortcomings.

A 2021 report from Wold Architects and Engineers notes that the campus was built in 1902 as a state hospital for 1,100 patients. Additional buildings were added between 1911 and 1952. In 1978, the state converted the campus to its current use.

Describing issues ranging from water infiltration and temperature control problems to a need for door and window replacements, the 756-page report concludes it would not be “a good use of funds” to upgrade and renovate the buildings.

“Significant updates are needed in every building and aspect of the campus,” the report says.

Hastings riverfront factory soon to reopen as $30M Confluence Hotel

Listen to this articleAfter 14 years of planning and more than a couple of setbacks, the Confluence Hotel in downtown Hastings will be open to the public starting next month.What used to be the H.D. Hudson Manufacturing plant on the banks of the Mississippi River is now home to a boutique hotel with 77 guest rooms, nine apartment-style rooms, a bar and restaurant and a banquet hall, said the Confluence’s general manager, Deanna Payne.Located at 200 Second Street W., near where the Mississippi and the St. Croix rive...

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After 14 years of planning and more than a couple of setbacks, the Confluence Hotel in downtown Hastings will be open to the public starting next month.

What used to be the H.D. Hudson Manufacturing plant on the banks of the Mississippi River is now home to a boutique hotel with 77 guest rooms, nine apartment-style rooms, a bar and restaurant and a banquet hall, said the Confluence’s general manager, Deanna Payne.

Located at 200 Second Street W., near where the Mississippi and the St. Croix rivers merge, the 100,000-square-foot building was used for more than 100 years to manufacture handheld compression sprayers.

In 2010, the property was acquired by the Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority for nearly $3 million and put to a vote: tear it down or rehabilitate it?

“The public overwhelmingly wanted the building to be rehabilitated,” said John Hinzman, Hastings’ community development director.

Multimillion-dollar cleanup

Rehabilitating a property that manufactured commercial sprayers for public health and lawn and garden since 1907 was no small task.

The bulk of the environmental cleanup took place from 2012 to 2017, Hinzman said, and included removing contaminants from the building and the surrounding soil.

The cleanup of the property cost around $2.5 million, Hinzman said, including $2 million in grants from the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Historic development

Shortly after the cleanup efforts, in 2018 Confluence Development won the bid to develop the historic parcel with Hastings resident and businessman Pat Regan and co-developer Mike Mattingly at the helm of the $30 million project.

A significant part of the project’s funding came from state and federal historic tax credits, Regan said, which were used to maintain and rehabilitate the building’s original architecture.

At the beginning of the project, Regan worked with Bill Weyland from Kentucky-based City Properties Group, which has experience rehabbing historic properties like the original H&B Louisville Slugger manufacturing plant.

A specialist in tax credit historic preservations, Weyland played a large part in securing the developer bid, Regan said.

Following significant construction delays brought on by the pandemic, Regan said Weyland departed amicably to focus on projects in Louisville.

Labor shortages and supply-chain issues plagued many industries during the start of the pandemic, but Regan said the hospitality sector was hit especially hard. “We had full start approval from lenders, the state historic preservation office and the city and COVID hit a day or two later,” Regan said. “We had to start from scratch on a lot of our planning and finance strategies.”

The Confluence was able to meet historic preservation standards through a laundry list of tasks, Regan said, including rehabbing more than 300 original windows.

“The historic preservation criteria required that we remove the windows and have them rebuilt rather than replaced,” Regan said, “even though we could replicate the exact original windows.”

Other preservation measures included keeping parts of the building’s insulation to four inches thick, even though today’s standard insulation measures seven or eight inches thick, Regan said.

Inside the building, roof trusses, floor trusses and steel and wood columns are visible, showcasing how the building’s architecture evolved throughout the decades.

Although the building has all new floors, Regan said the original diamond-plate flooring can still be found throughout the hotel in inconspicuous places like shelf brackets and door jams, adding to the character of the former industrial building.

The wood from the original floor beams was salvaged and repurposed into shelves, Regan said, and also used in the hotel’s grand staircase that leads to the lobby.

The Confluence Hotel is not only the largest project of Regan’s career, but also a family affair. The project was completed with the help of his wife, Mary, their four children and 13 grandchildren. Bill Weyland is also family, Regan said, as his son, Kent, married Regan’s daughter Meghan. Mattingly, Regan’s partner, is also a son-in-law, married to his daughter Angela.

“It feels great, we are very excited,” he said.

In addition to the family ties, Regan said the construction team for the Confluence included talented woodworkers, plumbers, and HVAC, electrical and design professionals.

“The designers have done a stunning job,” Regan said. “The design details and the finishes in the building are hard to describe. … They are fantastic.”

The logo of the Confluence Hotel is a cupola, a nod to the original factory and its roots in Hastings. The Confluence still sports many of the original dome-like cupolas along its roofline.

“It celebrates the people who worked here over the 110 years of the Hudson Manufacturing Company,” Regan said.

Inside the Confluence

Managed by IDM Hospitality, the Confluence’s 77 guest rooms average 475 square feet and showcase the building’s original architecture, including exposed beams, cathedral ceilings and exposed brick walls.

Nine of the guest rooms are “lifestyle suites” with full kitchens, Payne said. The second floor of the building’s north wing is reserved for apartment-style residences that overlook the river and range from studios to two-bedrooms.

Applications for the apartments have not opened yet, although Payne said they have already garnered a lot of interest due to the size and the views they provide of the river and the U.S. 61 bridge.

The in-hotel restaurant, Missi’s Sip & Savor, will be open to guests and the public and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner inspired by New American flavors and seasonal Midwest ingredients.

An official start date has not been set for service at Missi’s, but it when it does open, the restaurant will start by serving breakfast and lunch with dinner service rolling out closer to October, Payne estimated.

The restaurant and bar, which seats about 145 patrons indoors and another 40 in the back yard, also boasts one of the state’s few Mibrasa charcoal solid fuel grills, Payne said. Made in Spain for the hospitality sector, Mibrasa ovens retain the flavor profile of traditional grills.

Coming in at about 6,000 square feet, the hotel’s banquet space, also known as the Ballroom, is a first of its size for downtown Hastings. Payne said they are anticipating weddings and conferences to be held in the space and have the ability to provide plated dinners for up to 300 people.

On nearly all sides of the building, the Confluence also has outdoor space that will be outfitted for outdoor dining with a garage door-style walk-up bar. Other outdoor spaces include a courtyard and green space that could be used for live music or a yoga class, Payne said.

‘Anchor in the community’

One of the goals for the Confluence is to enmesh in the local community, Payne said. One way they plan to do that is by partnering with downtown Hastings’ Spiral Brewery, located just down the street from the hotel. Missi’s Sip & Savor will feature its own custom-made beer from the brewery, Payne said.

The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau will also have its main offices at the Confluence, said President Kristy Barse. “The Confluence is going to bring in a lot of tourism traffic and they will be an important part of our community,” she said.

The Chamber of Commerce was looking to relocate to the city’s historic downtown, Barse said, and the Confluence makes for a perfect fit given its location, private conference room and spacious banquet hall. “The new banquet center gives us the opportunity to recruit larger conferences and tourism events that we couldn’t in the past,” Barse said.

“We refer to ourselves as an anchor in the community and a bookend of the downtown,” Payne said of the roughly 55-person hotel staff.

The Confluence will be a part of the community in as many ways as it can, Payne said, including participating in Gobble Gait, the city’s Thanksgiving Day run, and Rivertown Days.

Payne, who has been in the hospitality industry for 20 years, said the Confluence stands out because of the building’s storied past. “So many families have been a part of it in so many ways,” she said. “The community is making this project unique and it’s an emotional investment to be a part of.”

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