Drilling error costs Mille Lacs County company its business

May 11, 2026 - 11:57

A family-owned bar in the small town of Bock has permanently closed its doors after what the owners describe as a catastrophic drilling error that wrecked their sewer system. According to the owners, a nearby construction crew drilling for a new water line accidentally struck and crushed the bar's underground sewer pipes. The damage was severe enough that raw sewage began backing up into the building, making it impossible to operate.

The owners said they reported the incident immediately, but months of calls and letters to the drilling company and local officials have gone nowhere. No one has admitted fault or offered to pay for the repairs. With no working sewer system and no clear path to compensation, the bar could not stay open.

The closure has left a void in Bock, a community of roughly 100 people where the bar served as a gathering spot for decades. Residents say they are frustrated that a simple mistake could wipe out a local business with no accountability. The owners have not ruled out legal action, but for now, the bar remains locked and dark.