Community support strong for area restaurants and establishments
By Ted Pennekamp
Several Prairie du Chien area restaurants have been doing better than originally expected during the state shutdown due to COVID-19.
With the help of loyal customers and community support, eating establishments continue to serve their tasty fares via carry-outs and deliveries.
“We’ve been really blessed, the town has been extremely supportive,” said Jeff Bowar of Leisure Time Sports Bowl and Banquet. “We did as much in food sales last week as we did prior.”
Bowar noted that there are a lot of good customers and good families in Prairie du Chien, and that the owners and employees of other restaurants have been supportive as well by buying food from all establishments.
“Everyone’s supporting each other and buying food,” said Bowar. “It’s wonderful to see.”
Bowar said Leisure Time has been selling beer and wine coolers as well to customers who have been ordering in advance and paying by either credit card or cash when they come to pick up their meals and/or beverages.
Bowar said the beer companies picked up all of the unopened beer. Leisure Time also offered growlers of beer to go at the beginning of the shut down, and now almost all of their draft beer is gone.
“A lot of establishments have been weathering the storm,” said Bowar, the president of the Crawford County Tavern League, who noted that establishments can call him with questions or concerns.
Huckleberry’s owner, Roxanne Skemp, said they have been running some really good specials.
“Our specials have been really well received,” said Skemp. “The main three have been the Friday fish fry, chicken, and pizzas. She said Huckleberry’s also offers bakery items.
Skemp said Huckleberry’s will be going to a more limited menu, but will continue to the serve the public.
“As long as customers keep coming, we will continue,” said Skemp, who noted that people arrive one or two at a time, so there haven’t been a lot of customers there all at once.
“We’ve had a great response from the public, and we appreciate all of the business,” said Skemp. She said Huckleberry’s has also been delivering to businesses such as 3M Company who have big orders. They don’t deliver to individual residences.
The Crooked Oar Bar on County K will deliver meals within a seven-mile radius. They also have pick-up. Customers have been paying ahead with credit cards or with cash when they pick up their meals.
“It’s been decent, especially with weekend dinners,” said Crooked Oar Manager Casey Knutson. “People support small businesses.”
Knutson said the Friday fish fry has been well received, as has the bacon-wrapped pork loin on Saturdays which is cooked in a smoker. The Crooked Oar also has been selling 12 and 24-packs of beer.
Steve and Angie Jones, the owners of The Black Angus and The Blackhawk, said the community support has been excellent.
“It’s been big,” said Angie. “Steve and I really are blessed to live in a small town where customers become part of the family. We’ve been overwhelmed by the support.”
In addition to buying meals, Angie said community support has also come in the way of lots of phone calls, texts and posts on social media.
“The carry-outs have gone better than we thought they would,” said Angie. “A lot of people have thanked us for that.”
Angie said The Black Angus and The Blackhawk will be closed for two weeks. She also said, however, that the two restaurants will re-open with fine dining carry-outs, daily specials and new menu items.
“We’re restructuring a new way of doing business,” said Angie. “Safety first is a priority. We’re appreciative of everyone in the community and we’ll keep everyone updated.”
Editor’s note: Due to time constraints, the Courier Press couldn’t contact every restaurant or establishment. The above article was meant to be a cross-section in order to show that area eating establishments have been receiving good community support during the shut down. The Courier Press encourages everyone to continue to show support for all area businesses, small or large.
