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‘Grandparents’ Happy Hour’ receives support as panel OKs omnibus liquor bill

By Lisa Kaczke
Anita LeBrun, a resident at Amira Choice in Champlin, urges the House commerce committee to approve a bill that would allow alcoholic beverage consumption in nursing homes. (Photo by Andrew VonBank)
Anita LeBrun, a resident at Amira Choice in Champlin, urges the House commerce committee to approve a bill that would allow alcoholic beverage consumption in nursing homes. (Photo by Andrew VonBank)

Anita LeBrun and her friends enjoy happy hour as much as other people.

Over a drink, they can reminisce about their lives, their military service, raising families and the loss of friends and celebrate “the golden phase of our lives,” said LeBrun, a resident at Amira Choice, an assisted living facility in Champlin.

But state law currently prohibits the facility from hosting a happy hour at the place they call home.

“Just because we’re older and live in assisted living doesn’t mean that we should have fewer freedoms than anyone else,” LeBrun told the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee Tuesday.
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