Minnesota Steakhouse Promoting '4-20' Party
WILLERNIE, Minn. (WCCO) -- The Hanger Room in downtown Willernie, Minn. is turning heads with its "4-20" party.
A sign outside the upscale steakhouse advertises that the party starts at 4:20 p.m. Wednesday. The words are outlined in the shape of a familiar leaf, marijuana, who some associate the date with.
So far, it's had a hazy reception.
"It is sort of a mixed message. It doesn't represent what the restaurant is. I am a little surprised," said customer JJ Dalton.
"This is a beer party, not a marijuana party," Jason Walther, the restaurant general manager, said.
The restaurant has around 80 beers on draft. One of their beers, called CENSORED, which is made by the Lagunitas Brewing Company, is being launched on Wednesday. The restaurant plans to move forward with the beer company's chosen theme.
"It's not meant to be offensive to anyone. I guess some people have taken it that way, which I apologize," said Walther, who maintains that the restaurant will still host the party.
The marketing of Lagunitas, which is a California-based company, has been very effective, according to Walther.
Aaron Carr, a Willernie neighbor, says he will be a customer Wednesday.
"I will be going over there for the 4-20 party now. I will be there, sitting down, having a beer," said Carr.
Lagunitas told WCCO-TV it has similar parties across the country.
While the promotion raised eyebrows elsewhere, the company is advertising the lifestyle to reach more customers.
Here's one more tidbit. The beer in question used to be called KRONIK, but they had to change it.
