THE BRIGHT SIDE – Lisa Otto
Anthony’s Steakhouse officially closed last Saturday.
The owner, Greg Condos, quietly and very surprisingly closed the family restaurant after almost a handful of decades. The dining establishment was the last of the ‘supper club’ kind of places that used to dot the land all across the state. The closing and serving of the last meal at Anthony’s were done without announcement due to an expected overwhelming number of people who would want to be there for the last meal and occasion. Condos said that Anthony’s lacked the staff it would have taken to accommodate such a likely crowds the family run and owned restaurant on Highway 50 just west Lake Geneva has been a favorite for many locals and visitors for many years.
The delicious food, wonderful owner and staff, and the old school supper club feel was treasured, and it created a huge regular draw. The restaurant has been for sale for some time and rumor has it that it was sold for three million dollars allowing Greg to retire in style. Condos enjoyed his time at the restaurant with his family and friends and is humbly appreciative of all who loved the place (in his own words, no less). Anthony’s won’t sit vacant for long. The new owner is planning to turn the five-acre plot of land into an Italian wood fire pizza establishment. Rumor has it that the old building will be torn down. The new owner is thought to be the same gentleman who bought Millies that was located County Road O, just outside of the Town of Walworth. Fire 2 Fork is the name of the place Millie’s was turned into.
The city council approved kayak launch fees.
The west end of Library Park is a hub of activity most of the summer. This end of the park includes the West End Pier, the fishing pier, and area for dogs to swim, an entrance to the shore path, the kayak rack, and people coming and going enjoying all of it or just relaxing in the park and the lake. The area has also become a very popular place to launch kayaks above and beyond those already renting kayak storage space on the rack. This has caused what some believe is congested and inaccessible for some who wish to launch kayaks.
The Lake Geneva Harbor Master would like to clean up this launch site for everyone using it. The idea of charging to launch was suggested to city officials. The launch fee will be $5 a launch and be done on the honor system. Those already renting a spot on the kayak rack would not have to pay to launch. The monies collected (if any) would be put into a separate fund specifically used for improvements to the kayak launch, hopefully creating convenience and accessibility for all. The idea is not supported by everyone, and some feel the city is nickel and diming the public every chance it gets (which it is). If a decent enough amount is collected and used for what it is intended to be used for (unknown, really) it could benefit this area, making things a little more stream-lined but this all depends on how many participate and actually pay or launch from somewhere else on the lake front.
The kayakers complained and are now surprised by the result (they get to pay to fix things), but that is the nature of today’s city leadership. All the kayakers can do is wait for the next election. The kayak crowd is a really neat group of boaters that the lake needs more of, not less, and it’s surprising to the staff of the Geneva Shore Report that the leadership does not see it that way.
