By Shereen Siewert
Michael’s Supper Club in Rib Mountain will close at the end of September to make way for a proposed Glass Nickel Pizza location.
Owner and chef Adam Jamgochian confirmed the closure in a Facebook post on Friday. Michael’s Supper Club is located at 2901 Rib Mountain Drive.
“Over the past 20 years the Jamgochian family has owned and operated Michael’s Supper Club,” Jamgochian wrote. “We have built and cultivated so many great friends and relationships along the way. It’s truly been an honor and a blessing to be able to do what he have done.”
Built in 1947, the building originally housed a small grocery store, Tornow’s Super Market. In the early 1970s an A-frame was added to the entrance and the building was transformed into a German-themed supper club called The Steinhaus, which included a live-music nightclub called the Black Forest Lounge. About 10 years later, Wayne Meyer bought the building and renamed the restaurant after his son, Michael, who became the chef.
Adam Jamgochian’s late father, Roger Jamgochian, bought Michael’s in 2000 and Adam began working at Michael’s in 2005, taking over the business in 2008 when Roger retired. Adam studied at L’Academie de Cuisine in Maryland.
In an email to Wausau Pilot and Review Rib Mountain Town Administrator Gaylene Rhoden said town officials on Aug. 6 approved a liquor license for Glass Nickel at 2901 Rib Mountain Drive. Glass Nickel had originally eyed a location slightly west of Michael’s, land that once housed Tanglewood Lanes before the bowling alley was torn down.
It is unclear whether Glass Nickel plans to tear down Michael’s or remodel the building.
Glass Nickel Pizza is a Wisconsin-based restaurant franchise that operates eight restaurants statewide. The restaurants rely largely on ingredients made in Wisconsin with a menu that includes pizza, subs, pasta, wings, fish, and build-your-own salads. Each restaurant is independently owned and operated.
Jamgochian has not yet confirmed future plans to open a new restaurant in the area.
“Please like and watch our Facebook page for information regarding our next great adventure,” he said.
The restaurant will close on Sept. 28.
