PATRICK HINGST

LAPEER, MI - Barbecue, ham, mashed potatoes and more will be available for those in need at Woodchips BBQ on Christmas Day. The fourth annual ‘Community Christmas Meal’ buffet is scheduled from 1-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25 at the restaurant, located at 315 W. Nepessing St. in downtown LapeerWhether it’s someone in need of a meal, or looking for a human connection, Woodchips BBQ is the place to be for residents. Kookys N Cream will be stationed inside the restaurant to create a unique cookie station for children. Four years ago, when Hingst initially launched the giveaway, he did so to fill a gap where he believes the true meaning of Christmas has been lost. I wasn’t seeing enough of that true spirit of Christmas.”Last year, Woodchips expanded its building to better host events and offer rental space.

A recently-painted mural is comforting, honoring the victims of the tragic Oxford High School Shooting one year later.

LAPEER, MI — A popular BBQ joint in downtown Lapeer is in the process of expanding its business with more space, drink offerings and rental space. The plans have been in the works to add more space to the restaurant, 315 W. Nepessing St. in Lapeer, since 2016, Woodchips owner Patrick Hingst told MLive-The Flint Journal. The new side will feature a dining room, a prep kitchen and offer the option to host private and fancy events. Those are some of the requirements of real estate with residential space on the top and commercial space on the bottom. Once the new addition is complete, Hingst will only need to hire a few extra people to help run the new side.

LAPEER, MI — Some businesses in downtown Lapeer are on track to offer another setting for patrons to enjoy their alcoholic beverages. The Lapeer City Commission approved an area in downtown Lapeer about a month ago as a social district and granted businesses permits to operate within the area as a part of the district. Hingst, 39, predicts the new concept will also increase alcohol sales and help to build up downtown Lapeer as a destination. The business owner said he hopes the district will help his businesses. Related news:Port Huron aims to help downtown businesses through coronavirus with drinks to-goAutomotive supplier to breathe new life into former Delphi East site in Flint with 70 jobs, investmentFlint River Watershed Coalition, Kayak Flint getting new home with fishing spots and lookout points

LAPEER, MI -- Patrick Hingst, owner of Woodchips Barbeque in downtown Lapeer, donated more than $1,300 to Lapeer Community Schools to pay off student lunch balances this week. Woodchips BBQ was one of the businesses in mid-Michigan that stayed open to in-person dining in defiance of state COVID-19 restrictions back in November. The business has worked to serve those who have been most negatively affected by the pandemic-driven lockdown, Hingst said. “Woodchips has done so many random acts of kindness in our community, they are hardly random anymore. Remaining open despite the restrictions was to support Woodchip’s workers and the Lapeer community, Hingst said.

The order suspends the restaurant’s two liquor licenses and permits for Sunday sales, outdoor service and catering. More than a dozen restaurants in Michigan have opened in defiance of state orders in recent weeks. During spring stay-home orders, restaurants could apply for federal forgivable loans and unemployment was better able to cover employee wages. In Michigan, businesses are eligible for $15,000 grants but owners say that hardly covers the costs of being shut down. The state restaurant lobby has fought the dine-in restriction and advocates for an approach that allows limited indoor capacity and a curfew.

Less than a week later after the initial announcement, several businesses in the Lapeer area decided to come together and offer indoor dining or had planned to offer it despite the ban. North Branch Bar and Grill, 4209 Huron St., planned to offer indoor dining the day before Thanksgiving. She added the health department warned the business of fines of $1,000 per day, if they were caught operating for indoor dining. In neighboring Lapeer, Woodchips BBQ is still open for indoor dining despite a cease and desist order from the MDHHS, $1,000 fine and suspension of its liquor license. However, suspending indoor dining for now is necessary to save lives and protect the public health as COVID-19 cases numbers, deaths and hospitalizations have spiked dramatically,” Wheaton said.

LAPEER, MI -- A downtown Lapeer eatery has continued to offer dine-in service despite being issued a citation and fine over the business operating in defiance of the state’s current COVID-19 restrictions. Multiple citations were issued to restaurants and the Michigan Liquor Control Commissions suspended liquor licenses to establishments in violation of the recent public health order. Some restaurants had their liquor licenses suspended, however, Woodchips BBQ has only faced the cease and desist order thus far, Hingst said. In addition to having its liquor license suspended by Michigan Liquor Control Commission, The Meeting Place in Fenton was also issued a citation with a $1,000 fine by MDHHS. A federal judge denied a motion this week to allow in-person dining after a lawsuit was filed by the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association and two restaurant groups against the MDHHS over the restriction.

Daner’s Diner, 224 W. Genesee St. in Lapeer, is one of those businesses that shared the message on its page. The North Branch Bar and Grill, 4209 Huron St., plans to begin offering indoor dining the day before Thanksgiving. Tabitha Kemble and her father Ken Kemble traveled from St. Clair County to support the business on Tuesday. Since the business has openly defied the state’s orders, several regulators have visited the business including representatives from the Lapeer County Health Department and the Lapeer Police Department. Hingst said the health department has asked him to stop the indoor dining service.