May 5, 2018 – Germantown, WI – Huge news for Jodi Janisse-Kanzenbach and her husband Cory as the pair just became business partners with Don and Deb Reinbold at Barley Pop Pub, N116 W16137 Main Street, in Germantown.
Many recognize Janisse-Kanzenbach as the owner and head chef at Café Soeurette, 111 N. Main Street, in downtown West Bend.
“This was just a great opportunity to grow as a restaurateur,” said Janisse-Kanzenbach. “What I liked about the Barley Pop is its rich history, the building is from 1870s and they’ve been in business a long time.”
The Reinbolds are also cheering the partnership. “My husband Don and I are excited Jodi and Cory have decided to partner with us at the Barley Pop,” said co-owner Deb Reinbold. “They bring a passion for food and beverage and a focus on the dining experience, which is something we have always strived for.”
Janisse-Kanzenbach said she’s excited about the upcoming development in Germantown, noting the up-scale apartments to the south, the new Gehl Foods Performing Arts Pavilion in Firemen’s Park, and the Village’s investment in the downtown.
As far as the future is concerned, Janisse-Kanzenbach said “it’ll be status quo at both the Barley Pop and Café Soeurette.
“We are not looking to change the concept of the Barley Pop,” she said. “What they’re doing is good; we want to keep it for what it is.”
Café Soeurette will also stay open and carry on it’s 11-year farm-to-table tradition.
In the short term there will be some scheduling changes so Janisse-Kanzenbach can hit the ground running and wrap her arms around both restaurants.
Starting the week of May 6, Café Soeurette will close Tuesdays and Barley Pop will not serve lunch on Monday and Tuesday.
“Once the merge is completed and we get our staff up to speed we’ll fall back into the old schedules,” Janisse-Kanzenbach said.
Barley Pop is open seven days a week and features pub food, burgers and appetizers. “We might do a few changes to the menu but I will put it in the hands of our chef Jorge Villasenor who does a phenomenal job,” said Janisse-Kanzenbach.
Also note, Barley Pop Pub and Café Soeurette will accept gift cards for either place at both places as well.
With the partnership comes job opportunity. The Barley Pop is looking for bartenders and servers. Applications can be filled out at the restaurant.
History of the Barley Pop
Henry V. Schwalbach built this “U” shaped building in 1870 to house a General Store, Saloon, Railroad Depot, Post Office, and his lumber companies offices. Mr. Schwalbach’s partner in the lumber business was a man by the name of Goelzer, leading to the name Goelzer-Schwalbach building.
Prohibition took effect in 1920, ending the saloon business. A barbershop opened in what used to be the salon during this period, with the general store still next door. The prosperity of the 1920’s eventually lead to a Buick Dealership operating out of the building.
Fortunes changed with the crash of the stock market in 1929. In the years that followed the General Store space was used for varied activities such as a dance hall, basketball court and more recently, The Hoagie Shop. In 1933, prohibition was repealed allowing the saloon to reopen. A structural addition to the saloon enlarged the space and made the front door parallel to Main Street. Members of the Schwalback family continued to own the building up until the 1970’s
In 1987, the Barley Pop Pub was opened in the old saloon space. In 1992, the room that was formerly occupied by the Hoagie Shop was renovated to give Barley Pop an additional dining room now called the Brew Haus. In 1995 the kitchen was renovated and a game room was added.
Today our goal is to offer a friendly atmosphere with attentive service, great food and cold drinks!
