Maureen Wallenfang
Post Crescent
Published 2:27 p.m. UTC Jun 12, 2018
Lazy Dog Sports Bar & Grill closed May 25 at 1441 Arbor Way in Kaukauna.
It reopens today at a new bar called Calmes’ Pub.
“After 10 years, we lost our lease,” said Lazy Dog’s Facebook post. It was one of a handful of businesses scattered across Commerce Crossing, the former dog park property at Interstate 41 and State 55.
The new Calmes’ Pub is owned by brothers Randy and Todd Calmes. They’ve owned the property for the last 10 years, and leased it to Lazy Dog’s owners, Terry Geurts and Lori Wojtowicz. Geurts did not return a call asking for comment.
After lease renewal negotiations failed with Lazy Dog, said Randy Calmes, the brothers offered it to other bar operators without success.
“We decided to run it ourselves,” he said. “We have lots of family and friends who want to run it. We’re paying our people good so that we’re getting a group that will stay. My brother and I are going to be there to shake hands and thank people for coming.”
Lazy Dog co-owner Wojtowicz is returning as head bartender, Calmes said, and they’ve hired 25 employees so far.
The brothers invested about $225,000 to replace equipment, repaint and refinish the bar and build a patio bar addition. A new smaller menu has the same pizzas, but upgraded burgers.
The opening today is the start of the bar’s “soft opening” phase, which is intended as a low-key way to get employees up to speed.
A soft opening celebration takes place June 23 with live music and drink specials. On July 14, the business has a “grand opening” with live music and drink specials. See Facebook for hours and details.
Calmes is pronounced like cal-miss. The Calmes brothers also own and operate James Calmes & Sons, a construction business started by their father, James J. Calmes, who died in April.
The brothers are dedicating the new open-air patio addition to their father, and it will be ready July 1.
“It’s called The Wild Duck as a tribute to him,” said Randy Calmes. The structure has roll-down glass garage doors so it can be used for private parties year-round.
Commerce Crossing, the city-owned property that surrounds the bar, has been the site of multiple failed developments. Walmart, for example, announced it would build there, but then canceled plans. Future announced developments on the site, near Calmes’ Pub, include several medical and dental office buildings.
Calmes’ Pub is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, and until bar close time on Friday and Saturday.
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