By Shereen Siewert
WAUSAU — A planned sale of the historic Hiawatha Lounge is off, and the owners plan to reopen the popular east-side bar and restaurant in the coming weeks.
Chef Adam Jamgochian, who also owns and operates Michael’s Supper Club in Rib Mountain, made the announcement Tuesday on the Hiawatha Facebook page.
“Well I’m sure everyone knows by now that the sale of the Hiawatha did not go through,” Jamgochian wrote. “That being said, I believe everything happens for a reason. Now it’s time to get it reopened.”
Now, Jamgochian is recruiting staff to fill open positions, everything from managers to wait staff, chefs, line cooks, bartenders, servers and more. Open interview days will be posted on the Hiawatha Facebook page in the near future.
Hiawatha held a closing party June 28 anticipating a sale between members of the Jamgochian family and a group of investors, but the deal never materialized. After 30 days of closure, businesses holding a liquor license are required to surrender the license or ask for an extension for good cause.
The state caps Wausau’s number of regular liquor licenses at 68. Multiple businesses often compete for regular licenses when they become available because there is a significant price difference between the city’s regular and reserve licenses. The city’s 11 reserve licenses cost $10,000 each. The regular liquor license costs $600.
Jamgochian is expected to appear Aug. 20 before the city’s public health and safety committee meeting to formally advise members of his plan to reopen.
