August 22, 2023 – Hartford, Wi – The Linden Inn, 4919 State Road 144, on the west side of Big Cedar Lake has sold. The closing was at 10 a.m., Friday, August 18, 2023. The new owner has plans to shift away from the supper club theme and bring a Nashville flair to the area.
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Andy Rein, 41, is the new owner. “We just thought we’d bring something new to the area. We have a lot of Nashville connections; those people will be helping us bring a new venue to town.”
Having grown up in West Bend, Rein saw huge potential in the historic location. “I didn’t want to see it go anywhere. I’ve lived in Washington County my whole life and I just wanted to make something of it. This is a solid investment for us and good news for the community.”
The 10,000-square-foot location with 170 feet of lake frontage has been for sale since January 2023. The property dates to 1950. It features a bar that seats 40 with a restaurant that seats 120. There’s also a banquet area that can accommodate up to 200 with parking for 110 vehicles.
Rein said, aside from shifting the theme he’s also going to change the name.
“It’s going to be called Lucky Shotz,” he said. “It’s in honor of my dad, Randal, who died 14 years ago. The name references a mix of honkytonk and horseshoes, and my mom who is Irish, so that’s in there as well.”
Rein plans on definitely offering live music and said there’s plans for an outdoor stage… but that’s a bit down the road.
“You know, Nashville, there’s going to be a lot of country themed stuff; country, pop, country rock, that is definitely huge,” he said. “On the restaurant front, there will be some local flavor, with a twist, but we will bring the ‘HOT.'”
With closing on the purchase under his belt, Rein said it will be about 60 to 90 days before he’s ready for a soft opening. Lucky Shotz will employ 10 to 15 people.
Rein said the building has been a staple on Big Cedar Lake and he wants to continue that tradition.
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On a history note: The Linden Inn has been through several names and owners over the years. How many can you name?
In May 2018, Dan and Peggy Mueller took over the old Padway’s on Big Cedar Lake. The Mueller’s renamed it Mueller’s Linden Inn.
In February 2017 Padway’s was listed for sale. Joe Weinshel was the previous owner. He closed on the purchase of the old Wegner’s Cedar Lake Inn in August 2014 when the asking price was $1 million. The asking price in 2017 was $795,000.
Back in the day Dick Peel owned the Linden Inn and neighbors remember the key lime pie, the brandy sauce sundae or the skipper sundae made with a scoop of ice cream, waffle cone, two chocolate chip eyes and a cherry nose.
