Maureen Wallenfang
Appleton Post-Crescent
Published 8:14 AM EDT Jul 30, 2019
Reader question: Any update on the Darboy Club? I’m still waiting on a refund. Emails say they’re still dealing with attorneys.
Answer: The Darboy Club closed down June 30 at N9695 County N at the corner of County KK in Harrison.
Owners Mark Tatro and Randy Ashauer did not respond to an email Thursday, voice mail Friday or an additional message left Monday asking about refunds.
I know of another couple also waiting for a wedding reception deposit to be returned.
While these are not huge amounts of money – deposits were $600 each – it’s still a significant amount if you’re watching every penny as you plan a wedding.
In addition, the Darboy Club has a civil lawsuit filed against it by Reinhart FoodService for $46,944.70 owed plus interest and legal fees, and a small claims case filed by a landscaping company.
What is known right now is that the property is up for sale for $1.75 million and no one has purchased it so far.
Beduhn Properties describes the Darboy Club as a “turnkey” business in marketing materials, which means it is ready to open and operate as is, and includes all its equipment, furniture and fixtures. It has a liquor license, and a new buyer would apply to have it transferred.
A restaurant/banquet user would be taking on a massive property. The main hall can seat 750 people and its parking lot accommodates nearly 450 cars. The property is four acres and the two-story building is 27,000 square feet.
At the time the Darboy Club closure was announced, co-owner Mark Tatro said, “We don’t have enough business to stay open.”
Archive: Darboy Club, a local landmark and banquet institution, sunk by competition, says owner
The property won’t necessarily come back as a restaurant or banquet hall under a new owner.
“The property is also available for redevelopment, which would trigger an auction for the equipment, fixtures and furniture,” said Stuart Behuhn, owner, broker and auctioneer at Beduhn Properties.
“We have a lot of interest in the property, but we’re giving these folks (both potential restaurant operators and developers) a little more time before we schedule an auction,” he said.
Reader question: What happened to Vinny’s Pizza in Medina? Did it close or move to a new location?
Answer: Vinny’s Pizza and Pasta closed in December.
The small, 12-year-old pizzeria with red checkered tablecloths was at W8979 State 96 in Medina.
Czech Brothers Meat, a barbecue business, operated the pizzeria portion for its last six months.
In late June, brothers Nate and Norm Kopesky posted a last note on their Czech Brothers Meat Facebook page: “As you’ve probably noticed, CBM hasn’t had too much activity as of late. We are in the process of closing up the shop where we’d intended to make a go of it. This is a bittersweet time for us.”
The building has been put up for sale with an asking price of $110,000.
“I’m desperately looking for somebody to buy it or lease it or rent to own. I’m willing to work for anyone,” said building owner Dan Jury. “I don’t want to see the building sit empty. Somebody could use it for real estate, insurance, ice cream or pizza.”
Contact Maureen Wallenfang at 920-993-7116 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @wallenfang.
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