KRAGNES TOWNSHIP, Minn.-The Fargo-Moorhead area will soon have a gay bar more than five years after the closure of the I-Beam nightclub in Moorhead.

Shane Friesz recently purchased the former Kragnes Inn bar, 9816 21st St. N., which is about 10 miles north of Moorhead.

Friesz and his partner are now painting and sprucing up the place, adding kitchen equipment and putting in new seating to get the business ready to reopen later this summer as The Sanctuary.

The native of the Bismarck-Mandan area lived in Las Vegas for 21 years and moved back to the Fargo area in the spring of 2016. While he was a bartender for 17 years, he said this will be his first time owning an establishment.

"It's been my dream to have a gay bar for as long as I can remember," he said.

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The Sanctuary will have some of expected features of a bar that caters to the gay and lesbian community, such as regular drag shows, rainbow flags and a dancefloor. But Friesz said it's meant to be a "laidback" and fun place for anyone, not just LGBT people.

"We want everybody to feel welcome," he said.

The bar will serve homemade pizzas, snacks and sandwiches for lunch and into the evening. He also plans to give customers a free drink if they show proof of getting a ride with Uber, Lyft or a cab service to promote safe driving.

Friesz said the bar's website will launch later this summer at www.thesanctuarygaybar.com.