USA, WI: Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. to close Wausau location

A Wausau restaurant and brew pub will close next month after 15 years in business, company officials announced on March 20.

Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co., 2305 Sherman St., opened in December 2000, serving up craft beers and a range of food choices with a lively outdoor space and large event venue. But rising food costs and changes in consumer dining and drinking habits are forcing its closure, said Eliot Butler, president and co-founder of Great Dane.

The restaurant’s last day will be April 19. Until then, Great Dane will maintain standard hours and will offer their full menu of food and beer. The company’s Madison-area pubs will continue to operate as normal, Butler said.

Great Dane launched in the mid 1990s as a partnership between Butler and Rob LoBreglio, two college friends, who set up shop on the corner of Doty Street in downtown Madison. From there, they built the city’s first brew pub and later expanded to multiple locations – including Wausau.

But now, the city’s chapter will come to a close.

“We’re so thankful to all of our staff and to our management team, vendors, and partners for all the hard work, effort and support they’ve given over the last 15 years, and it hurts to say goodbye,” Butler said. “Also, and we can’t say this enough: A huge shout of gratitude to our guests and to the community of Wausau for their patronage and for fully embracing the Great Dane.”

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