Jan. 17—After over 40 years in Winona, the Black Horse Bar and Grill no longer stands in one piece on Old Homer Road.
The popular spot to get a drink, enjoy a bite to eat, and watch a variety of live entertainment appears to be a total loss after a fire ripped through it early Friday morning.
The fire was reported at 3:07 a.m. by an employee who lives in an apartment above the business, according to the Winona County Sheriff’s Office. The employee escaped the building uninjured.
No people or animals were injured in the fire.
The origin and cause of the fire was unknown Friday morning. According to the sheriff’s office, the fire marshal was on the way to the scene to help with the investigation.
The walls of the business were torn down around 8 a.m. while firefighters worked at the scene to spray water onto the building.
Multiple agencies responded to the fire, including those from Pickwick, Winona, Ridgeway, Wilson, Goodview, Minnesota City, Dakota, Nodine and Rollingstone, according to the sheriff’s office.
- Fire Causes Heavy Damage to Owensboro (KY) Lab, Restaurant
- Fire Damages LeClaire (IL) Restaurant
- Fire Ravages Historic SC Restaurant Building
Businesses in the city with liquor licenses are required to have insurance.
The Black Horse Bar and Grill is currently owned by André Klonecki.
André purchased the business in 2015 and bought the building and land in 2016, according to a Daily News article.
André was also the manager for four years before he became the owner.
Terry Klonecki, André’s mother, said Friday morning that Klonecki grew up living next to the business. She said he still lives in that home.
André began working at the bar as a teenager.
“It had gotten shut down and he helped rebuild it and bring it to what it was,” Terry said. “He’s put a lot of work into it. He’s built a very, very community-based establishment where people became family, regulars.”
“Funerals, weddings, so much, so much went on in that establishment,” she said.
The fire left Terry “feeling a loss” Friday, she said.
“It’s hard to see your child’s dreams and hard work go up in flames,” Terry said.
She received a call from André’s wife that morning after he was told the business was on fire.
Terry came to the business and stayed there “until we realized that it was too far gone to be saved,” she said.
Terry is confident though that this is not the end for the beloved business.
She believes her son will rebuild the Black Horse.
“I believe 98% chance that he will rebuild, unless something unforeseen blocks that,” she said. “It’s always been his passion. He was very successful at it. And a lot of people in the community counted on that place for a lot of reasons.”
Terry said André has served in the military.
“I told him this is just one more hurdle he’s got to get over,” Terry said. “He’s strong and he’s got a great community.”
The community is already rallying to support André, Black Horse Bar and Grill and the business’ employees.
Terry said people started calling her at 5 a.m. asking how they can help.
A GoFundMe to support the business’ team, set up by Terry, had already raised more than $7,500 by 11:45 a.m. Friday.
Terry also said people can support the business by bringing donations to WNB Financial where Black Horse has a checking account or to Terry’s business, Winona Sign and Design.
Heirloom Seasonal Bistro in Winona announced Friday morning that 5% of its sales that day would be donated to the Black Horse. Heirloom’s owners also planned to match the donation.
“Winona is unique in the fact that restaurant owners, amidst a competitive industry, support each other wholeheartedly in our community. A loss for one is a loss for all,” stated Kristi Berge, co-owner of Heirloom. “The Black Horse boasts an incredible owner and a ton of staff — supporting them all in any way during this time of grief is the least we can do.”
Terry recognized the Black Horse’s team will need to start looking for new jobs now.
“He had the best staff he’s ever had, the best crew he’s ever had on this last year, and it’s just too bad, because they’re all going to be looking for jobs,” she said.
The employee who reported the fire, identified on Facebook by Terry as cook Chris Rotering, also lost all of his belongings in the blaze except what he was wearing, Terry stated in the GoFundMe.
___
(c)2025 Winona Daily News, Minn.
Visit Winona Daily News, Minn. at www.winonadailynews.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
