OUR PLACE
The old Bob’s Beach Shack on Broad Street still sits empty and is deteriorating.
The owners of Mashtun Brewing have a new idea for the space. They hope to demolish the building and construct a new fish-and-chips restaurant in its place. Mashtun Brewing is currently located at 700 Veterans Pkwy Unit 203 in Lake Geneva. They are known for their variety of beers made in-house, plus grilled cheese sandwiches, soups, and mega pretzels.
Mashtun Brewing was founded in September 2023 by Riccardo Nardi and Kristen Kettle. Born from casual “backyard fence beers” shared with neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic, the microbrewery started as a small, one-barrel system. Social distancing over backyard fences inspired the founders to gather around a real mash tun and launch a commercial operation. They specialize in small-batch experimental brews that offer them the chance to change brews frequently.
Expanding their local footprint, the owners purchased a downtown property (the former Bob’s Beach Shack at 140 Broad Street) to develop a new fish-and-chips restaurant and taproom concept called Ottie’s Chippie and Taproom. The concept for Ottie’s Chippie and Taproom was approved by the Lake Geneva Plan Commission and will face a city council vote on August 10.
Kettle estimates they could start construction on the two-story restaurant and taproom as soon as October if the plans receive the necessary approvals. The Ottie’s concept is named after her son and is based on beachside restaurants from her home country of New Zealand. If demolition begins in October as anticipated, Kettle estimates Ottie’s could open as soon as May of 2027, just in time for the grand remake of Main Street!
Lake Geneva House of Music faces foreclosure.
Community State Bank filed papers with Walworth County on July 30th for a judgment of over $500,000. The bank says Chris Buttleman and his crew can stay and continue doing business for now. But if a judge grants the bank’s request, the property at N3241 County Road H will be put up for sale at a sheriff’s auction. No hearing date has been scheduled yet. At the advice of his attorney and some trusted friends, Christopher Buttleman is keeping his comments to himself, for now.
Buttleman appreciates the support from the community and hopes to continue serving the community for years to come. This is terrible news, and the community might think about dropping by and beginning to collect some much-needed cash for Chris and the House of Music. They are an institution in Lake Geneva and deserve total community support.
The Business Improvement District, Visit Lake Geneva and even the Lake Geneva City Council should get involved in this one, as will the Geneva Shore Report. It sure does not look like Community Bank is going to do very much other than play a very excellent Ebenezer Scrooge role in this thing. Hang in there, Chris!
City Council Meeting.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 6 p.m., located at City Hall during the Common Council
Meeting.
A Proclamation in recognition of Bev and Jeff Leonard and their
Humanitarian Support for the People of Ukraine will take place. The city will honor them with an acknowledgement of their support and efforts regarding the war.
“Originally, our discussion with the powers that be was for the city itself to acknowledge its Support of Ukraine. However, to be politically correct, they acquiesced with a mention of our heartfelt involvement as citizens. Jeffrey plans on speaking during the 5 minutes allowed during Comments from the Public. Your support at the meeting would be appreciated.”
Regards, Beverly Leonard, Delaney Street Mercantile.
