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One of the most historic and unique taverns in Wisconsin recently re-opened after a few months of being closed.
Boy, it feels good to write that. In September 2006, we used almost the same words to announce the closing of Leo and Leona's in tiny Newburg Corners, on Hwy. 33 near La Crosse.
But, thanks to a group of long-time patrons who just couldn't stand to see it fade into history, L&L is back.
Led by Larry, Doug and Dan Sebranek, the brothers largely responsible for Larryfest, a bluegrass festival renowned in western Wisconsin, the tavern, which opened in 1898, was remodeled and re-opened on the weekend of the NFC Championship game. Certainly, the patrons who packed the joint on Jan. 20 would have liked to have seen another outcome in that game, but there will be many more Packers' games for L&L.
For years, Leo and Leona Cavadini owned and operated L&L. Leona kept it open after her husband died, but then in 2006 decided the end had come. She had an auction, selling some wonderful sports and other memorabilia, and for several months the building sat vacant.
A group led by the Sebraneks then struck a deal with Leona, who still attends Packers games at the bar.
"It was always a fun place to watch Packers' games, and go to any time," said Dan Sebranek, who plays in a group called String Ties and performs solo all over the Midwest and elsewhere in the country. "We've all been going there for 20 years or more and hated to see it just go away. We talked with Leona and were able to come to an agreement. We just want to keep the place going."
Leona, 86, lived above the bar for much of her adult life. Her parents, John and Salome Korn, bought the business in 1940, but the family continued living on their dairy farm. The kids, including Leona, worked on the farm and in the tavern.
Leo and Leona bought the bar in 1951 and moved in upstairs. They bought the land from their landlord in 1963.
Old photos of the building date it to 1898. A dance hall was added in 1900, according to one old photo. Another shows more than 100 people posed outside the place with wagons, bicycles and horses.
"You wonder where all the people came from," Leona said. "They were more than lived in any town around here."
The tavern became known as a great Packers bar, and also was known as a hangout for the New Orleans Saints and other players when several NFL teams trained in Wisconsin's Cheese League.
Mike Ditka became a regular at one time and reportedly once asked Leo if he could remove a T-shirt that read "The Bears Still Suck."
Leo, a WWII pilot, got right in the face of the former Bears player and coach, and said he would not remove the shirt because, "The Bears do suck, and it's a big seller." Ditka never stopped coming to the tavern.
The Sebraneks and their investors brought back some of the memorabilia and continue to make improvements to the place. "We wanted to keep it as close to what it was like, but had to bring it up to code. We put on a new roof, septic, all new wiring, a new floor and fixed up the bar itself." said Dan, who is one of more than a dozen investors in the venture.
"We hope to eventually do something with what was the dance hall in the back. There's a lot of work to be done back there, so we'll have to see how business is in the tavern. But, we'd like to eventually offer some music back there."
Leo & Leona's is open Thursdays through Sundays for now. It might also open on Wednesday once the weather improves.
In the story about the tavern closing, we wrote that in many ways, the lyrics from the old TV show "Cheers" fit L&L. They still do:
Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
