By AMANDA VOSS Daily News
Chaz Hastings, owner of Milwaukee Harley-Davidson and three Washington County businesses, resurrected the Old Town Inn in the heart of Germantown and he wants people to visit and add to their memories of the historic restaurant.
Hastings owns the Von Rothenburg Bier Stube, which is next door. He said the Bier Stube opened first and then they got to work renovating “Jerry’s” Old Town Inn, which cost $1 million and took about seven months.
“We literally gutted the place,” Hastings said. Old Town Inn, N116W15841 Main St., opened Feb. 11.
Germantown Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lynn Grgich said Old Town Inn and the Von Rothenburg Bier Stube will revitalize and energize downtown.
“Those two were destination establishments,” Grgich said. “With those reopening I am hoping people will come back.”
She added the two will boost other businesses in the village by bringing groups of people in at different times.
Hastings said the restaurant was redone with natural elements, including a tin ceiling, beautiful woodwork, a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and a bar that is double the size of what it was in the former business.
“It’s quite an atmosphere,” Hastings said. “It’s so different than what it used to be.”
The food is prepared by award-winning chef Dennis Stukel, he said, adding Old Town Inn was famous for its fall-off-the-bone ribs and they will continue offering them along with baked french onion soup and European-inspired dishes like a chicken and duck dinner.
Old Town Inn because is a different dining experience, he said. “Many people that live in the county have great memories of Jerry’s Old Town Inn. We would love to invite them and create new memories,” Hastings said.
Hastings also owns Tally Ho Pub and Grill in the town of Erin and Madam Belle’s Silver Dollar Saloon in Richfield. Hastings lives in the town of Erin and gives accolades to Washington County — including saying there are great places to ride motorcycles. Now there is one more place to dine.
“I put a lot into this. I am really proud,” he said. Old Town Inn is open Tuesday through Thursday 3 p.m.-close (when business slows) and Friday through Sunday 11 a.m.-close.
For information, visit www.oldtowninn-wi.com or call 293-3098.