What Happened to III on Third Street?
You know, this is really a bit depressing.
First it was Kelly’s. Then it was Kelly’s, only this time it was the Murdochs’ venture. Then it was Kelly’s again, but back to the old owner.
Most recently it became III. My wife and I have spent many evenings there meeting with friends, listening to music or just having a quiet drink together. It’s one of the few smoke-free establishments downtown.
So you can imagine my shock today when I strolled past III on Third today. There’s paper in the window announcing a change - again. What’s happening over there?
The rumors say that two of the three co-owners were bought out by the remaining owner, but I have no way of confirming this. Hmm… interesting development though, especially since there’s a new Chinese restaurant opening next store in the former Something’s Brewing space.
Side note: do we need another Chinese food restaurant?
Kari Rasmussen said:
I spoke with the new owner last week. He plans to warm up the industrial decor, offer affordable drinks, and have more music and even comedy.
Although I don’t like when businesses close, it is always nice when a replacement is lined up. I wish them well. They have a great location and space, but as always, the good people of Wausau will determine if it works.
As far as Chinese restaurants go, we do seem a little saturated, but there might be a demand for another option. I think we have a lot of Italian restaurants, too. Anyone else out there like Indian food?
October 30th, 2007 at 5:21 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
Honestly, we do not have a lot of Italian restaraunt. We have a lot of pretend.
Its not a new owner, the boys are leasing it from Ed.
October 30th, 2007 at 7:02 pm #
Kari Rasmussen said:
Don’t you think a lot of ethnic restaurants cater to the American palate?
October 30th, 2007 at 9:53 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
I think we have a lot of the same restaraunts. Just with a differant version of batter fried this or that.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:57 pm #
timothyp said:
I am doing my best and so is our favorite banking facility… to open a restaurant in the downtown area.
First of all, I would like to say upfront that I am not trying to promote a venture that I’m not really sure will happen and using this fine forum to do it. What we are trying to do nonetheless, is to take the old Little Italy restaurant and make it a health conscious bistro that you could take your family to, a date for a romantic setting later in the evening or even stop for a alternative to fried food and burgers for lunch. It will not be a total vegetarian place but we will offer healthier food with emphasis on creating real food, not the same old breaded mushrooms, chicken wings and the ilk. I’ve been eating that stuff for so long, I’m surprised my arteries haven’t just exploded yet.
It does take some time for this. My partner and I have some more cost analysis to do before the bank hopefully says they are willing to give us what we will need to take a beat up old fashioned restaurant and make it into something that we both and our future patrons would be proud of. Some of the equipment was taken and/or sold and that will have to be replaced, not a an inexpensive situation. Truthfully, I should know within two weeks or so if this will come to fruition, all I can do is to keep on plugging away at it until this becomes a reality.
Either way, it has been a really exciting time for me personally and when we get the word on our financial situation, this would be one of the first places I’d come to announce it.
October 31st, 2007 at 12:18 am #
Matthew said:
I think we need a nice Hmong restaurant, something where you sit down, can order some sticky rice, and egg rolls, and it has a nice atmosphere. All the places I know in Wausau that sell Hmong food tend to be stores, and that doesn’t make for the best atmosphere. I would love to see a hmong version of the Chang Garden; a nice resturant with a nice menu, and nice atmosphere.
ps. If there is one, where is it?
October 31st, 2007 at 12:35 am #
Tom Neal said:
Indian food … please! What I wouldn’t do to have a place in town where I could get some chicken tika masala. Only options I know are in Madison, Milwaukee, Twin Cities.
Or a Greek/Mediterranean/Moroccan place would be a tantalizing option.
Variety is the spice of life.
October 31st, 2007 at 7:05 am #
lisastahl said:
I would love Indian and Vietnamese and I agree with Matthew that a sit down Hmong option would be most welcome. Best wishes Timothy - your concept sounds wonderful.
October 31st, 2007 at 7:39 am #
Marcus Nelson said:
I would echo on the Indian Food - Oh where is my naan & tandoori chicken!
When my family moved here from Texas, my parents were rather shocked at the lack of variety and taste of the Wausau palette. Years later, they commented one evening that a meal was really good - had it actually been a delicious meal, or had their standards been dropped?
There’s alway a huge variety and quality of food places in major metropolitan areas. Maybe it’s because they have to compete more with other creative menus rather than Sysco delivered heat & serve platters.
The latest iteration of Little Italy was a prime example of food made fresh - and boy was it good! But perhaps we as a community voted for their success with our pocket books, and instead went to low cost alternatives. And that my friends, makes all the difference.
All the more reason for us to support our local “luxuries.” :-)
October 31st, 2007 at 7:58 am #
robertmentzer said:
I will personally pledge to eat at an Indian food restaurant at least twice a day seven days a week. Man, that would be great. Are you listening, potential-Indian-food-restaurant-owners?
October 31st, 2007 at 10:00 am #
Dino Corvino said:
I had promised to eat at least 5 meals a week at Downtown, and have done pretty good so far.
October 31st, 2007 at 10:17 am #
hello said:
Hmong would be good. I’m sure you could find a few good cooks for it here too! Chinese food is kinda bland. Thai or Indian would be good.
October 31st, 2007 at 1:56 pm #
erik said:
Let me just toss more into this ethic platter and say this town also really needs a true Thai restaurant. Yum!
As far as III, I have to be honest, I was no happy with the change. Kelly’s was a great atmosphere, III felt like what people thought the 00’s were going to be like in the 90’s. Maybe this change is just what the place needs.
And I’d love to see an actual venue around here for some sort. I’ve been crying for a long time. I don’t know if that III area is really the place for it, but I’d welcome a stage that had regular performances on it.
October 31st, 2007 at 7:01 pm #
anonemoose said:
Tom Neal and others looking for Indian food,
There is a good Indian restaurant in Appleton. It is well worth the drive.
moose
October 31st, 2007 at 7:36 pm #