ROCHESTER — Staff at Nupa Mediterranean Restaurant had a busy lunch rush Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025.
In addition to the regular crowd, people came to support the business following the
detention of two restaurant staff members by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
on Wednesday.
Not everyone on staff was in their usual position, but they kept food moving and the lines from getting long.
“We all came together as a team and I’m happy about that,” said Brandon Janvrin, Nupa Mediterranean front of house manager.
“You’re crushing it,” Janvrin said to one of the staff members taking orders.
Brandon Janvrin, Nupa Mediterranean front of house manager, speaks with kitchen staff as he arranges soups for a to-go order at the restaurant at 412 Crosroads Drive SW Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025.
John Molseed / Post Bulletin
The Nupa crossroads location on 12th Street Southwest had a brisk crowd through the lunch hours.
Rebecca Macikalski said she was saddened to hear the news of the ICE action Wednesday.
“It hurts my heart,” she said. “It’s soul-crushing, what’s happening to people and their families.”
Macikalski and her friend Danielle Knoll made a point to support the restaurant Thursday.
“I’m thrilled that they’re busy,” Macikalski said.
Janvrin said it was a typical busy lunch crowd, adding he hopes for bigger crowds for Valentine’s Day on Friday.
The north restaurant on Civic Center Drive remained closed since yesterday’s immigration enforcement action.
Restaurant officials haven’t said when that location would reopen.
At least two kitchen staff members
were taken into custody by ICE agents on Wednesday. Two were detained in the parking lot of the north restaurant,
according to the restaurant’s posts on social media. A third person believed to be a Nupa employee was detained at his home, also on Wednesday, according to a friend of the detainees.
During Thursday’s lunch rush, Janvrin was all over the restaurant, handling out take-out orders, busing tables, delivering food to tables and fetching extra sauce when asked.
Meanwhile, a crew from a Twin Cities television station took footage of the eating crowd and busy staff, prompting one regular to ask what was happening.
Janvrin told the woman about the situation. Other than that, it seemed like a typical busy lunch day, even with Janvrin running around.
“I just try to jump in and help where I can,” he said.
Of the staff currently in ICE custody, Janvrin said he hasn’t heard any details.
“They’re all loved,” he said. “I do miss them.”
John Molseed joined the Post Bulletin in 2018. He covers arts, culture, entertainment, nature and other fun stories he’s surprised he gets paid to cover. When he’s not writing articles about Southeast Minnesota artists and musicians, he’s either picking banjo, brewing beer, biking or looking for other hobbies that begin with the letter “b.” Readers can reach John at 507-285-7713 or jmolseed@postbulletin.com.