New downtown business
Patrick Igou and Ryan Fox welcome one and all to their new downtown Prairie du Chien establishment “The Tavern.”
‘The Tavern’ opens in downtown Prairie du Chien
By Ted Pennekamp
A new business has recently opened in downtown Prairie du Chien in the former Fort Crawford Hotel building. “The Tavern” first opened its doors on Saturday, March 28 and has been welcoming customers ever since into its rustic, down-to-earth atmosphere.
The Tavern, 205 W. Blackhawk Ave., is owned and operated by two enthusiastic, first-time entrepreneurs from Prairie du Chien, Patrick Igou and Ryan Fox.
“There was a void left by the Main Entrance,” explained Patrick, who noted that he and Fox were able to obtain the Class B Liquor License formerly held by the Main Entrance bar which had been torn down. “The license was there and someone was going to take it and why not us.”
For the past several weeks, Patrick, Ryan and several friends have been working to remodel the interior of what had most recently housed the home decor store Junipers.
“We made everything in here,” said Ryan. “We had to get it up to code.”
“If it weren’t for people we know, it wouldn’t have happened,” said Patrick. “Many friends helped in a variety of ways. We had to do it as low of cost as possible.”
Ryan and Patrick constructed the bar, for example, out of barn boards that they obtained for free. In addition, customers can be seated at a pair of booths and a couple of tables. The barn boards lend a rustic air as does the donated decor including various paintings, turtle shells, a fishing net, a carp and guitars and fiddles which adorn the walls.
“Our decor will evolve,” said Patrick. “We’re localists and the decor will reflect local history as well as being river and railroad related.”
“We also want to have conversations,” Patrick said, in noting that The Tavern will be unique in Prairie du Chien because it will not have, God forbid, a television.
“We also wanted a place to play acoustic music,” said Ryan as he pointed to a corner which is set up for live music such as folk, bluegrass and classic country. By this summer, Ryan and Patrick said they will have open mike, acoustic jams on Wednesday nights hosted by local radio personality Todd Crotty. The Tavern will also have live music with professional musicians on the weekends.
“Hopefully, the music will promote dancing, a little two-steppin’, polka, waltzing,” said Patrick. “We want people to relax, talk to their friends and have a good time.”
The Tavern will offer a variety of domestic beers and imports along with “every day” kinds of mixed drinks. “Nothing gimmicky,” said Patrick. “We keep it simple.”
Window signs such as “Lousy Service” tip off customers as to the ironic humor (or reality) that awaits inside The Tavern. “Come on in, sit down, relax and enjoy yourself,” said Patrick.
The Tavern is open Wednesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. until close. Ryan and Patrick said that they hope to expand the hours this summer.
