by Vicki Ikeogu
news@thenewsleaders.com
The company’s slogan reads “More than just a sports bar.”
For Scott and Esther Widor, that motto does more than just provide a mission for their business. It’s a mission for how the two live their lives.
And that mission includes not only family and sports, but community-building as well.
“It’s the right thing to do, basically,” Scott said. “I had a few mentors (who) personally guided me. And I had a couple good bosses (who) built into our corporate fabric that we should give back as much as we could and when possible. It’s just kind of found its way into Blue Line.”
For nearly 12 years, the Widors have been serving patrons in the Sartell area from their location, 1101 Second St. S. But for nearly as long, the couple, along with their 35 or so employees, has been committed to giving back to the city that welcomed them with open arms.
“It is because of this community that we have been able to be successful,” Esther said.
And it was because of the commitment Blue Line and its staff has made to various Sartell organizations that the Sartell Chamber of Commerce, along with the Hospitality and Visitors Service and city staff have recognized the restaurant as the 2017 Sartell Small Business of the Year.
“I’m grateful and I’m appreciative (for whoever nominated me),” Scott said. “And humbled at the same time. It blew me away. Because (as a business) you are never after stuff like that.”
Also in the running for Sartell Small Business of the Year were All Seasons Small Engine Repair; Chiropractic Performance Center; Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing PLLP; InteleCONNECT, Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader; PineCone Vision Center and United Way of Central Minnesota.
The Blue Line Sports Bar & Grill is no stranger to being nominated for this award. The business has been nominated every year for the past five years.
“We were beginning to think we were like Susan Lucci in trying to take home this award,” Scott said.
But not winning the award during that period has not deterred the Widors and Blue Line from giving back to local organizations.
“(We get involved) because people ask,” Scott said. “I’m not out there looking for it, trust me. But you know, there are certain things in Sartell that I step up more (for), like obviously the Rock N’ Block concert.”
In addition to sponsoring events like the Sartell SummerFest fireworks and the community concert, the Widors assist local organizations like the Salvation Army, Apple Duathlon, Sartell Lions Club and various high-school clubs by hosting fundraising nights at the restaurant.
“We have fundraisers almost every week,” Scott said. “And we donate 20 percent of the profits off of everything (on the menu) to those organizations.”
Widor said he also sits on Sartell’s HVS and helps the organization brainstorm ideas on how to increase visibility and tourism within Sartell.
All this work is on top of running not only the Sartell Blue Line location, but a second restaurant in south St. Cloud, a location the Widors have owned for about five years.
Scott said he hopes the values he and Esther have built for themselves and for the business will inspire their employees – who are often high-school and college-aged – to one day give back as well.
“Community awareness comes from within,” Scott said. “And I hope we can continue to not only provide every guest with an extraordinary experience but continue to do the best that we can for the area.”
And the Sartell Small Business of the Year award was just another stepping stone in reaffirming Blue Line’s mission.
“We aren’t going to stop doing all of those things just because we got the award,” Esther said. “When other opportunities come up, where we can help, we’ll get involved.”
St. Cloud resident and co-owner of Blue Line Sports Bar & Grill in Sartell Scott Widor stands next to the plaque he received after Blue Line was named Sartell’s Small Business of the Year. Widor and his wife, Esther, have owned the Blue Line for nearly 12 years.
The 2017 Small Business of the Year plaque hangs in the entry way of Sartell’s Blue Line Sports Bar & Grill. The restaurant was awarded the honor in mid-November.
St. Cloud resident and co-owner of Sartell’s Blue Line Sports Bar & Grill Scott Widor poses for a photo next to some of his Green Bay Packer memorabilia. Widor and his wife Esther were recently named Sartell’s 2017 Small Business of the Year recipients.
St. Cloud resident and co-owner of Sartell’s Blue Line Sports Bar & Grill, Scott Widor, poses for a photo next to some of his Green Bay Packers memorabilia. Widor and his wife, Esther, have been running the Sartell restaurant for nearly 12 years. The Blue Line was recently awarded the Sartell Small Business of the Year award.
St. Cloud residents Esther Widor (left) and Scott Widor, owners of Blue Line Sports Bar & Grill in Sartell, address the audience at the November Salute Sartell event after their business was named the 2017 Small Business of the Year.
