Roadhouse Renovation
WITH RENOVATION PROJECT AT MIDPOINT,
ROADHOUSE PIZZA PREPARES FOR MOVE
Ripon, Wis. ¾ The renovation and expansion of Ripon’s Roadhouse Pizza has reached its midpoint, and restaurant operations will move this week to allow for completion of the project.
For 30 years Roadhouse Pizza has occupied the building at 102 Watson St., on the city square at the corner of Watson and Jackson Streets. The renovation project is expanding the restaurant into the adjoining building at 104 Watson St., doubling its space.
The renovation of the first floor of 104 Watson and the second floors of both buildings is largely complete. The restaurant will move its operations into these newly renovated areas so that construction crews can shift their work to the first floor of 102 Watson.
Roadhouse Pizza will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, June 9 and 10, to accommodate the move. Roadhouse will reopen on Friday, June 11, in the newly remodeled space, using both the first floor of 104 Watson and the second floor above both buildings.
“Our project isn’t fully complete, but we’re excited to reach this point,” said Andy Radke, manager of Roadhouse Pizza. “We can’t wait to show off this great new space.”
The renovation work on the first floor has created an entirely new kitchen along with a new pickup counter and waiting area and new staircases at the front and back of 104 Watson. The second floor is now a bright, open, airy space with casual seating, a bar, skylights and easy access to a rear deck seating area. Construction crews also have installed new windows along Jackson St. in window spaces that were bricked over many years ago.
The two buildings date to the 1870s, and preserving their historic integrity is central to the project.
While much is changing at Roadhouse, Radke assures customers that the things that have made Roadhouse a favorite place for three decades of Ripon area residents won’t change. “This will remain the same friendly neighborhood restaurant that our patrons have enjoyed for so long,” he said. “We will feature the same menu items, at the same prices, as in the past, but we’re adding a few things, too.”
Starting Friday, customers will have several new choices for pizza toppings as well as several new specialty pizzas: one for vegetable lovers, one for meat lovers and one called the Aloha Pizza that features pineapple and Canadian bacon. Also on the menu will be three new salads and four new sandwiches, including one named Larry’s Sloppy Joe.
Roadhouse will be open beginning at 4 p.m. each Wednesday through Sunday.
The entire Roadhouse renovation and expansion project is expected to be complete by mid-July. Planning for a grand opening celebration is under way.
The work at Roadhouse is another in a series of projects undertaken by Boca Grande Capital, which is committed to revitalizing numerous downtown buildings, preserving Ripon’s historic character and bringing new vitality to the heart of the community. These projects will strengthen existing restaurants and other businesses, attract new businesses, provide new opportunities for people to live and work downtown, and encourage more people to visit Ripon.
Boca’s completed projects include construction of the America restaurant at the south end of downtown and the renovation and restoration of the buildings at 303 and 305 Watson St.
When the Roadhouse project is complete, Boca will shift its focus to the buildings at 205, 207 and 209 Watson, at the southeast corner of Watson and W. Fond du Lac St. Those buildings will be renovated and restored to accommodate two retail businesses on the first floor and four apartments on the second and third floors.
Meanwhile, the Boca team continues the design work for the Ripon Inn & Spa, to be built on the west side of Watson St. at Blossom St. The boutique hotel and spa will offer first-class service and amenities that will draw visitors from throughout Wisconsin and neighboring states.
The Roadhouse renovation is underway!
Throughout the process, the Roadhouse Renovation Team will post updates, photos, and a look into future pieces of the Roadhouse project. The Team is very excited to start the process. The announcement follows in the March 1, 2010 press release.
RIPON’S FAVORITE PIZZA RESTAURANT
TO GET A NEW LOOK AND DOUBLE ITS SPACE
Roadhouse renovation is another in a series of projects that will restore
and preserve historic buildings and bring new energy to downtown
Ripon, Wis. Roadhouse Pizza, a fixture in downtown Ripon for more than 30 years, begins a major renovation project this week that will more than double the restaurant’s space, allowing for greatly expanded seating and new menu items. Read the full press release…