ST.CLOUD, Minn. – The owner of the legendary Press Bar and Parlor pleaded guilty to arson for a fire that destroyed the place in February 2020. Andrew Welsh, 42, set the place ablaze to collect on a $1.3 million insurance policy on the building rand another $300,000 policy on equipment, according to the criminal complaint. The fire attracted the attention of national arson investigators, explosive specialists, and engineers . Twenty-five investigators were involved. They concluded that Welsh was the last person to leave the bar at 2:11 a.m. Eighteen minutes later, a surveillance camera recorded smoke coming from the establishment. Twenty-four minutes, alarms sounded the neighboring Cowboy Jacks restaurant and bar. Welsh and his former wife had bought the Press Bar in 2016 for $850,000. They still owed $550,000.

Welsh. With ex-wife had owned Press Bar since 2016.

Press Bar. On West St. Germain Street.  A a downtown fixture since 1940s. In recent tears: Rock downstairs, rap up.