Maureen Wallenfang
Appleton Post-Crescent
Published 7:02 p.m. UTC Jun 29, 2018
Bars and restaurants renew their liquor licenses every year at this time.
A check this week with ten cities, towns and villages in the Fox Cities show the majority had routine license renewals.
But there were a few surprises.
A few bars closed, and several others were in the process of being sold. Also surprising: no community had a waiting list for liquor licenses. That’s a departure from years past when at least one or two had waiting lists for businesses asking permission to serve drinks.
Some of the most recent changes:
C.U. Saloon, a country music bar, is dark at 409 W. College Ave. in downtown Appleton. Owner George Schroeder had previously applied for the bar’s liquor license renewal, and while renewal was approved, the license had not yet been issued. “There is a hold on it because there are some fees due,” said city clerk Kami Lynch. “We’re hanging on to that one until we hear more.”
Schroeder did not respond to messages asking about the saloon as of press deadline Friday morning. He still had Friday afternoon to pick up the license before the city’s deadline.
Meanwhile, a cryptic, rambling message posted June 17 on C.U. Saloon’s Facebook page reads: “Thanks everyone. It’s been fun. Ok… cause people have been asking… look for something bigger, and maybe even better, in a different spot sometime in the future. Nothing definite. Certainly don’t know when though.”
Fox River House at 211 S. Walnut St. in Appleton is in the process of being sold. It remains open during the transition between owners. Owner Patti Coenen, who is also a city alderperson, renewed the bar’s license. “I’ll be here until late July for sure,” she said. “It’s been nine years. I’ve enjoyed it, but it’s time for me to go out and use the master’s degree. I’m going back to a desk job.” Names of the new owners will be made public when they apply for the license transfer, she said. The bar will officially change hands after that. Coenen said they’ll keep the Fox River House name and still host bands during Mile of Music. “I don’t think patrons will see much of a difference.”
Dieter’s Ale Haus closed June 15 at 830 E. Northland Ave. in Appleton. “They exceeded their demerit points within an 18 month period and they chose to surrender the license rather than have us go through the revocation process,” said Lynch. City records show David Grond bought the bar and has applied for the liquor license. The bar’s new name and reopening date are currently unknown.
Infinity Bar & Grill at 700 Schelfhout Lane in Kimberly surrendered its license. Its last day in business is Saturday. On its Facebook page, it cited location and high utility bills in the decision to close.
In Greenville, Field & Fire applied for a liquor license for its restaurant and bar opening later this month.
In Kaukauna, Lazy Dog’s license was transferred to Calmes’ Pub, Loray’s Pub became Rumor Mill.
In Little Chute, the most recently issued license went to El Jaripeo on Freedom Road.
In Menasha, the bar called 13 Main did not reapply for its license and has closed.
In Grand Chute, Happy Garden Chinese Restaurant did not renew its beer license.
In Buchanan, Pho Saigon did not renew its liquor license. Rice Market Southeast Asian Kitchen requested and got a beer license starting July 1.
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