Jackson, Wi – The old Heidel’s Tavern & Restaurant on CTH P in Jackson, WI is going through a major renovation and some treasures from the past are literally coming out of the woodwork.
The property, most recently Doman’s Bar & Grill, was purchased by Chris Loudermilk and his business partner, Dane Hufnagel. Loudermilk has Cedarburg ties, although both have relocated from Pennsylvania and eyeing a March opening under the new name Cedar Jack’s.
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The journey to acquiring the restaurant began unexpectedly for Loudermilk. About a year and a half ago, he visited the establishment, Doman’s Bar & Grill, for a fish fry, enjoying the food and the ambiance. Little did he know, a casual thought during that visit would eventually lead him to become the proud owner of the property.
After spending 20 years in the corporate world, Loudermilk felt it was time for a change. “We were tired of working for somebody else’s dream,” he said. The initial plan was to buy a bar, but a conversation with his brother revealed Doman’s was up for sale.
The idea took root, and soon Loudermilk and Hufnagel found themselves leaving their high-paying jobs to venture into the restaurant business.
The property, nestled on 2.4 acres, includes a six-bedroom house. The restaurant dates to 1966 when it was a cozy spot just south of Gumm’s Corners. In 1969 Wayne and Jeanne Heidel took over and changed the name to Heidel’s Tavern and Restaurant.
The building featured “a lot of add ons,” according to Laudermilk who has a vision of bringing the establishment “back to its form glory” when people referenced a “supper club /Cheers” atmosphere.
“We’ve talked to people locally and they can barely remember a weekend there wasn’t a wedding here. The Heidel’s had catering and there’s a commercial kitchen in the basement. Eventually, we kind of see it becoming an event space, again, where people come and we provide all the food and entertainment.”
On a history note
As the transformation is underway there were a couple unique finds under the flooring. The artwork dates back to the Heidel family, when Wayne and Jeanne raised their girls Jennifer, Renee and Tricia in the home behind the restaurant.
Writing and drawings were found when carpet was removed in the bedrooms of the attached home. The artwork, dating to 1975, features the outline of a hopscotch pattern and a girl wearing bellbottom blue jeans adds some charm to the history of the establishment.
“The drawings are on the sub floor where one of the girls drew a picture of a little girl and she’s got bell bottoms on. We thought that was pretty neat,” said Laudermilk.
Neighbors will remember the sudden death of Jennifer (Heidel) Semman who collapsed after a Green Bay Packer game January 20, 2008. At the time, Semman was principal at MacArthur Elementary School in Germantown.
There was also the unexpected discovery of hundreds of trophies dating to the 70s.
The name Cedar Jack’s holds personal significance. “Cedar” pays homage to Cedar Creek, while “Jack’s” is a tribute to Chris’s grandparents who raised him in Cedarburg. The name resonated with the local community and received the most votes from a list of options.
Love this article.
Jeanne Heidel
Very cool article. Best of luck to the new owners.
Wow, that’s is neat!! Did you remember that Jeannie?
So Precious.
I loved this place, for our quilting sessions, the Christmas Boutique, and the food was always terrific. I loved the Heidel family. Thanks for the memories. Have moved away, but when I am in the area will make it a key stop to visit Cedar Jacks.
always had fun with our investment group there.. Fran Lofy
Love the article. A former best friend of Jen The Great!!
Loved working there during high school. So many good memories there! Wayne and Jeanne always treated you like family. Trish used to cut our hair in the office. Still miss those days! All the best to the new owners!
My husband and I got married at Heidel’s under the gazebo in July 2001 and had our dinner and reception there when Wayne and Jeanne owned it! All of us girls got dressed and ready in the beautiful Victorian decorated house that was attached. Their flower gardens were gorgeous for our pictures there! And I went to school with Tricia and we were friends way back when!
Can’t wait for Cedar Jacks to open as we only live a few miles from there. I had spent many hours when it was Heidel’s
, quilting on Tuesday under the name of Quilt Factory. I believe it was around 1982 when it started. Oh the fun we had there. I was lots younger and would sew from 10 AM till midnight. Wayne and Jean treated us so good with letting us use the hall to sew in. Good luck in your new adventure.
My parents had their 50 th anniversary there great food great memories
Wishing you luck with this venture! Lots of special memories from this place. Weddings and birthday parties among them.
My three kids were at MacArthur when Mrs. Semman passed away which was heartbreaking. These pictures made us smile! It’s just another wonderful and adorable way to remember the best Principal we have ever known💜
I had Mrs Semman as a teacher at Kennedy Middle School. I never knew her maiden name was Heidel. Remember going into Heidel’s a few times while snowmobiling with my dad.
Love this! I graduated high school with Jennifer. She was a good friend. We planned and we had our 25th Germantown High School class reunion there! I will definitely come in and check out the new renovation. Good luck to you,
Loved this place when it was Heidels, had my wedding reception there 1984…
Special memories! Heidel’
s was a pit stop for our Road Rally my friend Diana (Jahn) Tetzlaff and I held back in the late 70’s – you had to stop in to collect a clue to answer and also to continue on your way in the Rally. I recall them being kind and welcomed our event with great enthusiasm! Also celebrated a birthday party with good friends Robert and Chris Cameron probably a decade ago. Great ambiance and food, enjoyed going there. Good luck to the new owners, no doubt it will be successful!
Wishing the new owners lots of luck!!
Looking forward to your opening 😀
What great memories from all that had the experience of past events and experiences there ! I would like to express great success to the two gentlemen that have taken on this mission to provide everyone in the community and elsewhere for new and future generations to come together to make and create future memories again ! Thank you again too the both of you for your dedicated decision to continue to making memories for each and everyone of us !