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La Crosse native Erik Kleven and his business partner Jennifer Lester opened Taqueria Pato Azul restaurant on Monday in the former Fat Porcupine Noodle Bar restaurant at 127 S. Fourth St. in downtown La Crosse.
Kleven and Lester, both of Rochester, Minn., continue to operate the Bleu Duck Kitchen restaurant in downtown Rochester, which they opened in 2016. “Pato Azul” is Spanish for “blue duck.”
Kleven said the new La Crosse restaurant serves authentic Mexican food “with a Bleu Duck twist.” He added, “We try to do things a little different” at both restaurants.
The La Crosse restaurant’s menu includes boutique Maine oysters, noodle bowls with a Latin flair, gourmet tacos and a “more bites” section with such fare as elote dogs (a hot dog with Mexican street corn), ceviche, Mexican fruit cup, tres leches (three-milk) cake and Takis beef sticks.
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The beverage menu includes cocktails, several kinds of beer (most of which are Mexican) and Spanish wines.
Erik Kleven shows some of the bright colors in the new Taqueria Pato Azul restaurant in downtown La Crosse, ranging from chairs to paintings, walls and dyed macrame wall hangings. The restaurant opened Monday at 127 S. Fourth St. in downtown La Crosse.
The La Crosse restaurant can seat about 65 people and is full of bright colors, from its chairs to the paint and decor on its walls.
To start with, Taqueria Pato Azul is open from 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. “Hopefully, within a few weeks or a month, we’ll be opening at 11 a.m. for lunch,” Kleven said. “We might be open on Sundays down the road.”
Kleven was born in La Crosse, where his family lived until they moved to the West Coast when he was in seventh grade.
For more information, call the restaurant at 608-519-3036 or visit www.taqueriapatoazul.com or Facebook.
Gregg Scharf, owner of Garrison Counseling Inc. at 319 Main St., will open his new Garrison Therapies Driifloat Center on Monday in Suite 300 on the third floor of the Powell Place building at 200 Main St. in downtown La Crosse.
The new dry float therapy center offers float therapy without getting wet, having to change clothes or shower, and has three Driifloat tanks made in England. “This is the first Driifloat center in Wisconsin and these tanks are designed to give an authentic float experience without any direct contact with the heated salt water,” Scharf said. “People choose a 30-, 60- or 90-minute session, remove their shoes, empty their pockets, lay back and float.”
Scharf also said that “the benefits of floating can be experienced both physically and mentally through promoting resilience, reducing stress, prompting mindfulness, help with pain associated with muscle tension or injury, and even speed up recovery. People come out of a float feeling very relaxed, yet also recharged and ready to take on the day.”
Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Scharf hopes to add weekend hours. People can book floats online or by calling 608-881-6028. For more information, call that number or visit www.garrisontherapies.com or Facebook.
Britt Henze opened Pamperin Salon & Spa on Sept. 1 in the former Pamperin Cigar Co. factory building at 115 S. Second St. in downtown La Crosse.
The new business cuts hair for men, women and children, and also offers coloring, waxing and eyelash extensions, said Henze, who has been a cosmetologist for nearly 11 years. The salon has two hair stylists and has room for two more, she said. She also is looking for a massage therapist or an aesthetician.
The salon and spa also displays and sells artwork created by Dulaney Artworks in La Crosse, and sells environmentally friendly and cruelty-free hair care products. It has a play room for children, and some artifacts from the building’s days as a cigar factory are on display.
“I’ve always loved this building,” Henze said of her decision to open Pamperin Salon & Spa. “I used to come in here when it was Kick (shoe store) and loved the vibe in here.”
The salon and spa is open Tuesday through Sunday. Its grand opening celebration will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 5, with snacks, refreshments, specials and giveaways.
For more information, call 608-498-5530 or visit the salon and spa’s Facebook page.
Brilliant Bodywork MedSpa at 314 Main St. in downtown Onalaska will move to 415 N. Sixth St., in the Hub on 6th building in downtown La Crosse, by Jan. 1.
The business is owned by Stephanie Andresen-Stevens and her husband, Adam Stevens, who say it began in 2008 and has outgrown its Onalaska location. The new location has about 6,500 square feet of space, up from 3,500 square feet at the Onalaska site, and will include a community education center that will be available to rent and will host continuing education events.
Brilliant Bodywork has 12 employees and will be able to hire 12 more with the expansion.
It offers such services as skin rejuvenation, massages, acne treatments, tattoo removal, skin resurfacing, permanent hair reduction, chemical peels, body treatments, luxury facials, waxing, body contouring, oncology treatments, microdermabrasion, spa day for bridal parties and weight loss. “We also focus on laser skincare procedures and plan to add on IV hydration therapy and cosmetic injections such as Botox and fillers,” Adam Stevens said.
The new location also will house the Restorative Ink nonprofit organization, which offers free tattoo removal services for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
For more information, call 608-783-8380 or visit www.brilliantbodywork.com or Facebook.
Places of the past: 30 La Crosse area restaurants you’ll never eat at again (part two)
Edwardo’s
Edwardo’s Ristorante di Pizza at 1930 Rose St. closed in 2015 after 55 years of business. The building was torn down and Good Steward Resale Store opened there in 2016.
Embers Restaurant
Embers Restaurant, a Minnesota-based chain, opened at 2620 Rose St. in December, 1973. The eatery closed in April 2004 to make room for a Walgreens, which opened at the site in November 2004.
Cheddar ‘n Ale
T. Daniel Solie, owner of the Cheddar ‘n Ale, samples some of his new restaurant’s fare with store manager Joan Jahimiak and co-owner Beverlee Solie. The eatery was located in the same building as the Solies’ other business, the Swiss Chateau, at 728 S. Third St. Today, that site is a sales lot for Toyota of La Crosse.
Mai-Tai Supper Club
The Mai-Tai Supper Club is shown here in 1978, the same year the restaurant at 1539 Rose St. was sold by Rachel Skoug to Glenn Addis. In January 1983, Addis sold the property to Arthur Lucas, who renamed the restaurant Arthur’s Restaurant; the restaurant closed five months later. Later that year, Lucas was convicted of first degree-murder. According to news reports, Lucas shot Theodore and Carlene Ann Buschkopf in a Winona, Minn., hotel room; Theodore Buschkopf died from his injuries. Investigators later discovered that Arthur Lucas and Carlene Ann Buschkopf had planned the hit in order to collect life insurance money to fund the restaurant’s reopening. The building was razed, and today the land is a parking just south of the Subway restaurant on the city’s North Side. Carrie died in custody in 2010. Arthur was released in 2013 after serving nearly 30 years in prison.
Winchell’s Donut House
Eugene McLellan was the manager of Winchell’s Donut House, which opened in 1978 at the corner of West Avenue and Jackson Street.
Taco Bell
Masons work on the exterior of a Taco Bell restaurant under construction in 1977 at 1200 La Crosse St. In 1998, Taco Bell moved to 315 West Ave. N., and Pappa John’s pizzeria moved into the building at the corner of La Crosse Street and West Avenue. It closed in 2008, and today a Subway restaurant occupies the corner lot.
1976: New Villa
Betty Volkman, a server at the New Villa, looks over a replica of the U.S. flag in this 1976 photo. The restaurant closed in May 1999, and the building was razed in 2003 to provide parking for the nearby Marcus Cinema Theater. According to the La Crosse Public Library Archives, the restaurant dated to 1937 when George Dialler purchased Rich Newburgs Nite Club and renamed it the New Villa. Dialler selected a rooster as the restaurants logo to pay tribute to the location once having been a poultry farm. In conjunction with the rooster, the New Villa’s slogan was “food and cocktails to crow about.” It was widely known for its chicken dumpling soup, Hershey almond pie and Friday fish fry dinners.
Mr. D’s Donuts
Darrell and Rosie Kluever, owners of Mr. D’s Donuts, show off their new location shortly after the restaurant moved to 1146 State St. in 1976. The Kluevers’ first Mr. D’s restaurant, opened in 1969, was located next door. Art Lotz took over as owner in 1979, and the restaurant closed in 2006 to make room for a widening of West Avenue.
1975: Bodega Lunch Club
The Bodega Lunch Club, pictured in 1975, was a downtown La Crosse landmark for generations. The restaurant opened in 1897 at 122 S. Fourth St. and closed for good in 1989 after a brief closure in 1984. Jeff Hotson and Michael Breckel purchased the building in 1994 and created the Bodega Brew Pub, which still anchors the corner of Fourth and Pearl streets.
McDonald’s
When the Linker Building was razed in 1962 as a result of a fire, a large hole remained on the site at the southwest corner of Fourth and Main streets. It was an eyesore, and began to be referred to by residents as the hole, according to research by the archives department of the La Crosse Public Library. The land stood vacant until 1966, when efforts by local businesses, organizations and individuals built a sunken garden. An agreement was made with Ben Marcus, the landowner, whereby the chamber would coordinate development of the park, but Marcus would retain full rights and if he decided to build or sell the property, the city would remove the park. Part of the agreement was that filling the hole was not permitted, so the sunken garden was planned. Debris was cleared by Boy Scouts and other volunteers, and a fountain was installed. A name-the-hole contest was held, and the winner was Phil Dyer with his entry Man-Lay Garden. The name was symbolic of the cooperation of management and labor in this project. A commemorative plaque, which included before and after pictures of the site, was placed in the garden in July 1967 in honor of the firms and individuals that donated materials and labor. In 1974, Marcus sold the land for $75,000, and one year later it was announced that a McDonalds restaurant would be built. It was built so the garden could be partially retained. A 32-foot bridge was built from the sidewalk on Fourth Street over the garden to the walkway. The fast-food restaurant closed its location in 1995. In 1998, the property was remodeled for a Brueggers Bagels, and the Man-Lay garden east of the building was filled in to create six parking spaces by fall 1999. The bagel shop closed in 2004. Today the site is home to Howe’s Jewelers.
Taco John’s
This Taco John’s restaurant opened in 1975 at 229 Rose St. In 1998, the restaurant moved to a larger location at 602 Monitor St., which was previously home to Taco Time. The location at 229 Rose St. is home today to a used car lot.
Taco Village
Taco Village server Carol Gilmore takes orders from Lisa Hanson, Douglas Hanson and Joan Kapeccas shortly after the Mexican restaurant, located at the corner of 19th and State Streets, opened. Today, that location is home to The Mint restaurant.
Ponderosa Steak House
Construction continues on the new Ponderosa Steak House in this 1973 photo. The building, at 2526 Rose St., became North Country Steak Buffet in 1999.
Shakey’s Pizza
Shakey’s Pizza Parlor and Ye Public House is shown here in 1973 shortly before it opened at 1227 S. Third St. Later, a Happy Joe’s Pizza and Ice Cream restaurant opened at that site, which today is occupied by Dave’s Guitar Shop.
Fireside Restaurant
This photo shows the Fireside Restaurant after its dining room was remodeled in 1973. The supper club, located at 9402 Hwy. 16, was opened in 1946 by Ivan Peterson. After the La Crosse restaurant closed in May 1988, the building was demolished to make way for a Barnes & Noble Bookstore. Today, the site is home to a Walgreens.
1972: Hoffman House Restaurant
Charles Hoffman, president of Hoffman House Restaurants, and Mary Lou Mason are served coffee in the new Hoffman House Restaurant, which opened inside the Midway Motor Lodge, 1835 Rose St., in 1972. In 1983, Ken and Jay Proksch began leasing the restaurant and renamed it Moxie’s. It changed names again, in 1999, to River Jack’s, and later to Black River Bar & Grill. Today it has the Moxie’s name once again.
1972: Louie Bantle’s Restaurant
Louis and Lialys Bantle raise their glasses in a toast to the new owner of Louie Bantle’s Restaurant, Max Kottmer, right. Louis started his restaurant career in 1944 when he became part owner of Fifth Avenue Buffet. Then, in 1947, he purchased La Conga at 312 S. Third St. and renamed it Louie Bantle’s Restaurant. Today, the La Crosse Professional Plaza is located at that site.
Royale Pie Shop
Myron “Mike” Peterson, owner of the Royale Pie Shop, is shown in 1971 shortly before his business at 915 Fifth Ave. S. closed. Peterson estimated he made 2 million pies during the 35 years he was in business. The site today is a duplex.
Chicago Beef & Etc.
Chicago’s Beef & Etc. closed in August of 2017 when owner Ed Pisarik retired. The restaurant had been located at 1203 La Crosse St. for 21½ years.
1971: Kewpee Lunch
Owner Arthur Grathen is shown here in 1971 shortly before his restaurant, Kewpee Lunch, closed. It was best known for its hamburgers. Grathen opened the restaurant at 314 S. Fourth St. in 1938 with his brother-in-law Harry Vokel, when burgers sold for 5 cents. The price gradually increased over the years before peaking at 20 cents. Today, the storefront is occupied by Designing Jewelers.
Bridgeman’s Ice Cream
Bridgeman’s Ice Cream opened in August 1971 at 3716 Mormon Coulee Road. It was renamed Wayne’s Family Restaurant in 1992 before closing.
1965: Dog House Restaurant
The Dog House Restaurant opened in September 1965. On hand for the opening were, from left, local franchise owner William Jefferson company President Ross Marino. The eatery, located at the corner of Losey Boulevard and State Road, was open 24 hours a day. Hobbit Travel now occupies the corner.
Swiss Chateau
The Swiss Chateau, a cheese, wine and specialty food shop, opened at corner of Third and Ferry streets in 1964. It later added a restaurant called Cheddar and Ale. Today, that site is a sales lot for Toyota of La Crosse.
Henry’s Drive-In
Henry’s Drive-In — which featured a menu of hamburgers, french fries and milkshakes — opened in 1962 at the corner of Seventh and King streets. The building was torn down in 1981 to make way for Godfather’s Pizza. That site is home to Pizza Doctors today.
1954: Triangle Cafe
The Triangle Cafe, which opened in 1951, was a popular breakfast spot in downtown La Crosse. Shown in this 1954 photo are, from left, owner H.F. (Herb) Troyer, Betty Troyer, Mary Kreutzer and Thomas Baldwin. The restaurant’s building at 601 Main St. was demolished to make room for Gateway Terrace Condominiums.
1952: Harmony Cafe
Louis Athnos, second from right, stands behind the counter inside the Harmony Cafe, 128 N. Third St. The cafe closed in the 1950s, and today the location is home to The State Room.
South Avenue Cafeteria
Dorothy Sheehan serves a customer during the last week of business at South Avenue Cafeteria in 1983. The building was demolished shortly after the restaurant closed. Gundersen Health System’s Founders Building occupies the spot today.
The Penguin Drive-In
A circa 1966 view of the Penguin Drive-In, 3317 Mormon Coulee Road, at that time next to a Texaco gas station. The Penguin, which was first operated by Orville Maxwell, was a popular spot for ice cream treats and was in business from 1966 to 1973, according to city directory files. The old Penguin building is long gone and its former site is now occupied by Engelson & Associates, LTD., an accounting and tax consultant firm.
Emily Pyrek
TGI Fridays
The TGI Fridays in Onalaska closed in September 2019. The The restaurant, located in Pralle Center, opened in March 2001.
Fat Porcupine
Brie Thompson, from left, Dustin Thompson, Zoa Ryan, and Peter Beard, opened their “Blade Runner” inspired noodle bar, Fat Porcupine, at 127 S. Fourth St. in early December. The bar closed July 31 due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Burger Fusion
Burger Fusion closed in downtown La Crosse
Steve Cahalan can be reached at stevecahalan.reporter@gmail.com.
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