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UPDATE | Culaccino Bar + Italian Kitchen sold – Last day of business is March 27, 2021

March 15, 2021 – West Bend, WI – On Friday, March 12, 2021 a story was posted on WashingtonCountyInsider.com about the sale of Culaccino Bar + Italian Kitchen in West Bend.

Business owner Travis Dowden provided an update today regarding questions on gift cards and his final day in business. He also put to rest any rumors regarding the future of his other restaurant in Cedar Creek and said Bibinger’s is here to stay.

Hey everyone! We just wanted to shed some light on the new information in regards to Culaccino & Bibingers. Culaccino will remain as your favorite Italian spot until it’s final day of operation on March 27.
We would like to wish the new owner well in his new pursuit!
You are probably wondering what that means for all of those great bonus cards/ gift cards you have. Well the good news is you still have until the end of the month if you wish to use them at Culaccino, otherwise stop over at Bibingers because you can use them there as well! (Just don’t forget, the bonus cards will expire at the end of the month).
After March 27, when you find yourself looking for a new option to try since your favorite Italian place has closed… come to Bibingers! Just like Culaccino, we have tasty cocktails, delicious food, and an amazing atmosphere. Can’t wait to see you! (Bonus! Your VIP rewards work there too!)
Don’t worry Bibingers is NOT going anywhere! You can expect some great things coming from us in the future as we prepare to say goodbye to Culaccino, giving us plenty of time to focus solely on making Bibinger’s the best it can be!
We want to thank you for being so incredibly supportive not only during the crazy Covid times with our curbside pick up, but during the time that Culaccino has been open for business as well.
We have truly enjoyed bringing a taste of Italian to downtown West Bend & have loved our time at this location! We look forward to seeing you over at Bibingers!
If you have any further questions or concerns in regards to the closing of the restaurant, please contact us!
Binkery, Culacino's

On Friday, March 12, 2021 local business owner Jeremy Hahn applied for the liquor license for that establishment, 110 Wisconsin Street.

“I was just looking to expand downtown,” said Hahn. “I got a jump on it and it is truly turnkey and we won’t have to spend a lot to get it going.”

Hahn is familiar with the bar-and-restaurant industry as the current owner of The Garden Lounge, Boardroom, and The Inferno in downtown West Bend.

Hahn said his chef at The Inferno is classically trained in Italian cooking. “He ran Buca di Beppo in Milwaukee for 10 years so it could be a good fit,” Hahn said.

As far as the menu is concerned, Hahn sees things remaining Italian but will try to push for a lunch crowd.  “We’re going to have a special with burgers but I’m not 100% yet.”

Hahn purchased the business and the building. An inventory check is happening Monday, March 15. “I was told everything comes with in the deal including furnishings, plates, everything,” he said.

Questioned whether the name would change, Hahn said it would but it was too early to say what it would be.

That building has been through multiple changes since it was physically moved in 2009 from it’s home on W. Washington Street.

Once in place on Wisconsin Street owners Melanie and Ray Schafer made it until 2011.  A civil suit was filed in April 2012 by Westbury Bank. Eventually the property went up for sale.

Kevin and Amy Zimmer eventually purchased the property. The Binkery was changed to Dublin’s and business owner Todd Ceman ran the Irish establishment until early 2018.

In July 2018, Bibinger’s owner Travis Dowden announced Culaccino Bar + Italian Kitchen.

Pronounced cool-lah-chino, the modern Italian restaurant is the homegrown concept of Bibinger’s owner Travis Dowden. Designed to deliver Italian-inspired, honest cooking, with an emphasis on using the highest quality ingredients, locally-sourced whenever possible.

Located in the heart of West Bend (110 Wisconsin Street), the new Italian space will serve lunch and dinner six days a week; Monday’s they will be closed. The menu will offer made-from-scratch pastas and sauces, wood-fired pizzas cooked to perfection in a stone oven, classic Italian dishes, as well as seasonal specials.

Hahn said opening his new business will hinge on acquiring the liquor license. That next licensing committee meeting is slated for April 5, 2021.
“Fully training a staff will take about a month and then getting a menu together… realistically we will be looking at early May for an open date,” Hahn said.
The patio is one of the amenities that attracted Hahn to the property. “I’m going to see if we can get a path from the Eisenbahn State Trail to run to the patio… even if we have to build it ourselves,” he said.
When Hahn learned the establishment was for sale he jumped on it immediately. “I really am interested in making the downtown a destination point,” he said. “What we’re doing is working. You can see other people are jumping in the mix too with old Grasshopper being sold and Foz’s and that’s the way I’m thinking about it.
“The more we get downtown the more we can flex employees between places.”
Calls were placed to Travis Dowden regarding the final day for Culaccino’s. Details will be posted when information is available.
The sale of the property was brokered by Boss Realty.

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