East metro residents work to support local restaurants through ‘It’s A Wonderful Line’ effort

People in the east metro area are working to support local restaurants through the pandemic with a new effort called "It’s A Wonderful Line."

Inspired by the 1946 Christmas movie "It’s A Wonderful Life," their plan is to rally support for those that are struggling.

Organizers said they will pick one business per week and encourage the community to form a line outside to buy takeout to help boost sales.

"That’s what I think our mission has evolved to is helping out these small businesses," said Sarah Moore, who lives in Woodbury and is helping organize the effort.

Moore said a group of neighbors came up with the idea after witnessing a long line outside the Woodbury 10 Theatre on Friday. The movie theater’s owner had put out a call for help on social media, asking people to come out and buy curbside popcorn to help them pay their December rent.

"I stopped by and they had a line around the corner. It was 20 degrees outside," said Brennan Stout, who lives in Woodbury. "So when I saw the line, I took a picture of it and sent it to my wife. I said, ‘Honey, there’s a really long line.’ And she sent me a text message back saying, ‘We don’t need it.’ And I responded back just saying, ‘They do.’"

Stout posted a screenshot of the text conversation in a Woodbury Facebook group. He said neighbors started commenting about the overwhelming show of support for the local business. Several of them, all strangers, decided to create a larger organized effort.

"One of the ladies said that the line at Woodbury 10 reminded her of the final scene in ‘It’s A Wonderful Life,’" Stout said. "I replied and just said, ‘Why not do- It’s A Wonderful Line? Why don’t we just do the same thing that they do in the film, but let’s do it for any business in need.’"

Stout said the 1947 Christmas movie shares many common themes with the struggles restaurants and bars are facing during this pandemic, from broken dreams and loss of hope to neighbors helping neighbors and a community rallying around those who need it most.

"It gives me goosebumps," Moore said. "It’s like a big family and it’s important our favorite businesses survive, so, within just a couple of days, we planned this big event."

Their first ‘wonderful line’ took place outside O’Malley’s Irish Pub in Woodbury Wednesday night. Hundreds of strangers came out over the course of four hours, with lines wrapping around the building to pick up food.

"These businesses are struggling and they need all the help they can get," said Woodbury Mayor Anne Burt, who participated by ordering food Wednesday night.

The owner of O’Malley’s said the pub ended up selling 10 times more takeout than an average night.

"It was a real good shot in the arm. It makes us feel good and we’re trying to keep it rolling," said owner Todd Hanson.

Hanson said it will help his family-owned business pay their bills this month, especially in the wake of the governor’s announcement that indoor dining will remain closed in Minnesota for another three weeks.

The organizers plan to keep this going by choosing a new business to support each week.

They are encouraging others to do the same.

"We left with just this tremendous vibe of community and support," Stout said. "We hope this will spread to others and inspire them to do their own wonderful lines in their own communities all across the country."

The next ‘wonderful line’ in the east metro will take place Wednesday, Dec. 23 at Angelina’s Kitchen in Woodbury from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The organizers have created an ‘It’s A Wonderful Line’ Facebook page to update the community on future stops.