FOND DU LAC – Picture a place in Fond du Lac you can enjoy a craft co*cktail or coffee, along with a light meal, from a wrap-around porch steeped in local history.
Think this place doesn’t exist? Think again.
Business partnersAnn Culver, owner of Annie’s Fountain City Café, and Bob Parish are working with the community to add a café/co*cktail lounge to the Elks Lodge No. 57-turned-ModTruss buildingon Sheboygan Street.They'll call it The Veranda at MT Lodge.
The pair have known each other for many years, and previously discussed being business partners on Annie’s Fountain City Café, but that didn't pan out. When ModTruss approached Culver about the possibility of opening a café in the historic building last June, the opportunity to partner returned.
The wheels started turning immediately on what they could do with space, which will be built by ModTruss and leased to the pair.Their goal? To serve craft co*cktails, specialty beer and coffee to customers within a unique art-deco themed experience. The space will provide an experience for Fond du Lac residentsandModTruss’ customers and staff alike.
“We want to create an intimate setting where you drink out of the glasses Grandma never let you touch,” Culver said.
To add its own flavor to the city’s co*cktail scene, The Veranda will feature custom-crafted drinks anda small co*cktail menu. A small rotating selection of craft beer will also be available, said Culver.
Throughout the day, staff will pour Operation Coffee products. The coffee made by Sam Floyd, of Campbellsport, is also sold at Annie’s by the bag.Bringing it to The Veranda is a wayto continue the brand's missionto create a conversation and “raise awareness of veteran suicide,” said Floyd. It is a mission the partners love, Culver said.
“I was very humbled when Annie asked me if Operation Coffee would be the coffee at The Veranda. (A) local cafe supporting a local roaster. Seemed like a perfect fit,” Floydsaid.
Customization is the goal for coffee as well, and The Veranda will offer drinks via French press, pour-over, and cold brew. Brewed coffee and espresso will also be available.
“Full table-size service” will not be on the menu, but be swapped for "small plate"—elevated hors d'oeuvres. Served on a platter, these are designedto be passed around a group for everyone to try, said Parish. The menu will include recipes with fish, beef, chicken and vegetarian options, as well as baked goods; lunches will be grab-and-go. With its new kitchen, catering will also be available.
The space will also be more intimate, with a capacity of about 45, and be available to host small gatherings.The atmosphere will be relaxed, allowing customers to enjoy the offerings, experience and service. One day, Culver hopes to add live music.
What excites Culver and Parish about the space is its porch, which surrounds the building’s exterior and will offer an area for people to sit outdoors and enjoy the summer weather. It also inspired the business’ name, The Veranda at MT, which was found on an old Elk’s Lodge sign and suggested by Patrick Santini, the owner, CEO and inventor of ModTruss.
“We don’t really have that type of venue in Fond du Lac,” said Parish. “Having the ability to come and enjoy drinks a meal outside is always a draw.”
Although not part of Annie’s Fountain City Café, the business will carry on its tradition of collaborating with other businesses and organizations.During Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts’11 Thursdays of Summer concert series, The Veranda will donate 5 percent of its food sales to a different local nonprofit each week; and the nonprofit will be invited to help serve food.
Seeking to help create the art district downtown, the business has reached out to the library to discuss programming, such as a book club on the veranda. One night a week, they want to have events, such as mixology class. Another possibility is hosting a large meal with a pairing of coffee or drink.
They also hope to pair with other businesses to create even more opportunities in the downtown, such as a recent event where Annie’s joined with TNT Fitness Results to host a “Bells and Brews” fundraiser.
On Wednesday night, the City Council voted to approve its alcohol license, moving it one step closer to opening.Culver and Parishplanto have The Veranda open this spring, operating Monday through Saturday
“We don’t want to create something that already exists,” said Parish. “There’s going to be nothing else like it in Fond du Lac.”
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