Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

June 22, 2011, Page 2

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

MidTowne Café open for business

The restaurant’s new sign was installed during the first day of business.

By Peter Spicer

A love of food and cooking inspired Rich Reil and his wife, Bridget, to open MidTowne Café at a historic Neillsville location.

MidTowne Cafe opened at 436 Hewett Street Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at the former Doc’s Diner location in downtown Neillsville across from Sniteman Town Square. The restaurant will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday thru Saturday and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.  MidTowne will be closed Monday.

Rich stated he has “always liked cooking” and is, according to Bridget, the head chef at their home.

“He’s the cook,” Bridget explained.

After working at Cummins Filtration, Rich decided to be his own boss and in March began working to open the restaurant. Obtaining the proper permit to get the business up and running took longer than Rich originally thought it would.

“It’s been quite a journey,” admitted Rich, who has lived in the area since 1976.

However, Rich looked forward to what a restaurant at the location could bring to the community.  “I saw a lot of potential here,” Rich explained.

“It’s a nice location,” added Bridget.

Since the day the Reils began planning to open the business, “Everything has been very positive,” according to Bridget, who added the community has supported opening the café. “We have not had one negative.”

The Reils hope their menu sets the café apart from other establishments.  MidTowne Café is “home of the square burger,” according to Bridget, who explained the burgers are homemade and not frozen.

Several self-proclaimed burger connoisseurs stopped by during the first day of business and quickly moved MidTowne’s burgers to the top of their list, said Bridget.

Diners who order a sandwich will enjoy the café’s homemade potato chips, which are quickly becoming a customer favorite.

Baked oatmeal served with warm cream, omelets and bagel sandwiches are featured breakfast items, while specialty sandwiches, appetizers and other items are available for those eating lunch at the café.

One customer stated the café’s omelets were “amazing,” Bridget said.

Although the first day of business began slow, the number of diners increased as the day continued, said Bridget.

The Reils, who are leasing the building, are receiving help from their family to operate the café.

Four daughters, one daughter-in-law and several other relatives are working at the restaurant, explained Rich.

Bridget has been an art teacher at the Fall Creek School District for two years and claims she is “summer help” by getting the business started this summer before teaching again this fall

“We’re just really excited [about the restaurant],” explained Bridget.

The Neillsville Community seems hungry for a restaurant such as this one, said Bridget.

The Reils are hoping MidTowne Café will be just the place to fill that appetite.

Bridget and Rich Reil pose after the first day of business Tuesday, June 14, outside their new MidTowne Café, located at 436 Hewett Street in Neillsville.  The restaurant, which serves breakfast and lunch, is located at the former Doc’s Diner building.  (Photos by Peter Spicer/Clark County Press)