Client: Becky Rademacher
Business: Sports Page Bar & Grill
Location: Bloomington, MN
Services: Monthly Accounting & Payroll Services
Relationship: More than 5 Years
Outcome: Secured PPP & ERC Funding, Reopened, and Recovered Beyond Pre-COVID Levels
Overview
For Becky Rademacher, owning Sports Page Bar & Grill was a dream years in the making. After spending years serving and bartending at the Bloomington establishment, she purchased the business and began her journey as an owner. But only six months later, COVID-19 turned the hospitality industry upside down.
Like countless restaurant and bar owners, Becky suddenly faced shutdowns, changing regulations, staffing concerns, and uncertainty about whether the business would survive. Fortunately, she already had a trusted advisor in CSI Accounting & Payroll.
Through monthly accounting and payroll services, along with hands-on assistance navigating government relief programs, CSI helped Sports Page Bar & Grill secure the funding needed to reopen, retain staff, and continue moving forward during one of the most difficult periods in modern business history.
The Challenge
Purchasing a business is challenging enough under normal circumstances. Purchasing a bar just months before a global pandemic is another story entirely.
As restrictions impacted restaurants and bars across Minnesota, Sports Page Bar & Grill faced significant uncertainty. Revenue slowed while expenses continued. Employees depended on the business for work, and the future of the bar remained unclear.
At the same time, government relief programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Employee Retention Credit (ERC) became available to help businesses survive. While these programs offered hope, the application process was overwhelming.
Becky described the paperwork as:
"Crazy elaborate."
Without guidance, it would have been difficult to understand the requirements, complete the applications correctly, and secure funding quickly enough to make a difference.
How CSI Accounting & Payroll Helped
Rather than simply providing accounting and payroll support, CSI became a trusted resource during a rapidly changing and uncertain time.
Monthly Accounting and Payroll Support
CSI continued providing the accounting and payroll services Becky relied on to keep the business operating while maintaining visibility into its financial position.
This included:
- Monthly accounting services.
- Payroll processing.
- Financial reporting.
- Tax support.
- Ongoing business guidance.
Having accurate financial information became especially important as circumstances changed throughout the pandemic.
Assistance with PPP and ERC Applications
When relief programs became available, CSI's Sam worked directly with Becky to prepare and submit the required paperwork.
According to Becky:
"I never would've known how to do any of that paperwork on my own."
CSI helped gather the necessary information, complete the applications, and navigate the process quickly so Sports Page Bar & Grill could receive funding when it was needed most.
Helping Sports Page Bar & Grill Reopen
The relief funding proved critical. Without it, reopening would have been extremely difficult. The funds helped Sports Page Bar & Grill bring employees back, cover expenses, and continue serving customers as restrictions were lifted.
The Results
The funding secured through PPP and ERC programs helped Sports Page Bar & Grill survive one of the most difficult chapters in its history.
Key Outcomes
✔ Secured PPP and ERC funding during COVID-19.
✔ Successfully reopened after pandemic restrictions.
✔ Retained employees and continued operations.
✔ Refreshed the facility with new paint and carpet.
✔ Recovered beyond pre-pandemic expectations.
✔ Continues to thrive today.
As Becky explained:
"Right before we reopened, we were down to our last thousand dollars. And if it wasn't for that PPP paperwork money coming in, we never would've made it. So [Sam] helped us get all that stuff in order very quickly so that we could have money to reopen our doors, to pay the staff, and keep going."
Some of the relief funding even helped Sports Page Bar & Grill improve the customer experience with new paint, new carpet, and other updates that helped "make things shiny again."
Today, the business is thriving. When asked whether Sports Page Bar & Grill had recovered, Becky replied:
"Yes — and then some. I mean, business has been so stinkin' good."
On the day of filming, we could see this was true. Customers were already waiting outside before the doors opened for the day.
What the Client Had to Say
"Even if you're paying a little bit more than you were before… they're worth it."
For Becky, the value of working with CSI wasn't simply about accounting or payroll. It was about having experienced advisors available during one of the most challenging periods her business would ever face.
From navigating complicated PPP and ERC applications to helping secure funding that kept the doors open, CSI provided the support Sports Page Bar & Grill needed when every decision mattered.
Why This Testimonial Matters
Many business owners think of accounting and payroll services as administrative necessities. The Sports Page Bar & Grill story demonstrates the value of having advisors who can help navigate unexpected challenges and opportunities.
When business owners face uncertainty, changing regulations, or major financial decisions, having experienced professionals available can make a significant difference. For Becky, that guidance helped transform a potentially devastating situation into a long-term success story.
Related Services
CSI Accounting & Payroll provides a full range of accounting and advisory services for business owners, including:
- Monthly Accounting Services.
- Payroll Services.
- Business Advisory Services.
- Tax Planning & Preparation.
- Cash Flow Forecasting.
- Financial Reporting & Analysis.
