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Happy to Make Your Acquaintance
Wisconsin Dells is the kind of place that just seems to nurture original thinkers. Some might label them "characters," but plenty of visitors to the area think of them more as "vacation geniuses." Care to meet a few? Present Day Celebs: All in the FamilyIt may very well be true that Wisconsin Dells has more entrepreneurs per square mile than anywhere else in the state. Generations of local families have made hospitality their life's pursuit in the Dells. Here are three such families.
When you think of classic Wisconsin Dells accommodations, Meadowbrook Resort has got to be at the top of the list. This tall timber lodge has been run by the Kalcik family, originally from Chicago, for the last 35 years. In fact, Scott Kalcik recounts, "I was just six years old when my parents purchased Meadowbrook and they put me right to work." He said that instilled in him the kind of work ethic Wisconsin Dells business owners are known for. How fitting that this resort, which has grown from the original lodge to now include rows of neatly maintained cabins and indoor and outdoor water activities, hosts more than 150 family reunions each year.
With 25 years under their belt as owners of the Del-Bar restaurant, Jane and Jeff Wimmer could write the manual on the finer points of running a classic Wisconsin supper club. Jane explains that, for a supper club experience to be authentic, it should have a leisurely feel to it, with guests starting at the bar for a before-dinner cocktail, then being escorted to their table to enjoy a multiple course meal. "Years ago, after working hard all week, people dressed up and spent the entire evening with us." Remarkably, even with today's travelers being so time-crunched, Del-Bar guests still make it a point to spend the entire evening at the restaurant.
Ben Borcher is a fourth-generation retailer in the Dells. His great grandparents came from Germany and settled in what was then known as Kilbourn City, now known as Wisconsin Dells. Aside from running some of the Dells' most popular retail outlets downtown, Ben and father Arnie share two other distinctions: Both are former volunteer firemen and both served as mayor of Wisconsin Dells. Today, Ben handles the day-to-day operations for Bailey's Landing and the Winnebago Gift Shop, two establishments known for their selection of fashionable moccasins and turquoise jewelry, and the upscale apparel store Burl & Boyd. But father Arnie is always close by for a word of advice or a bit of reminiscence about the early days of tourism in downtown Dells. One other note, Ben's sister Jane Heller is also a local business person running two sweet shops – Swiss Maid Fudge and Wisconsin Dairyland Fudge. |
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