NEW GLARUS - Puempel's Olde Tavern caught fire late Friday night, and seven fire departments and three other branches from around the area rushed to save the 124-year-old building.
By Monday, with the dust settled and the cleanup underway, owner Chuck Bigler had a decision to make about the dollar bills that famously hang from the ceiling.
"They had to come down," Bigler said. "We needed to clear it off quick. We had the ladders and the manpower, so we just did it."
The total amount came to about $3,000, and Bigler decided to donate it all to the New Glarus Fire Department.
"They saved the bar, so we decided to help them out," Bigler said.
He said the fire department was planning on building an addition and that his donation would go towards that fund.
Typically, Puempel's donates half the money on the ceiling each year to charity, but this year the donation is being done all at once.
An exhaust fan in the bathroom started the blaze, which destroyed the bathroom and a backroom. Bigler said the insurance company has taken over, hiring professionals to come in and restore the building.
"We're not sure how long it's going to take, but our goal is 30 days. It's only day four, so we've got a ways to go," said Bigler, who added that the bar hadn't closed for a weekend in his 25 years of ownership until now. That makes it "unique and different. But the people from around here have been amazing. They want to help, but right now we are just letting the insurance company handle everything, so there is not much else to do."
On its Facebook page, the New Glarus Fire Department thanked Bigler and the tavern for the donation.
"To show his appreciation for the New Glarus Fire Department's efforts during the fire at Puempel's Tavern on Friday night, owner, Chuck Bigler donated all of the money that famously lines the ceiling of this New Glarus landmark to the department. This generosity, totaling $3,000, despite such a challenging time for this business was quite moving. This will all go towards our building addition fund and our goal of being able to put an addition on the back of our existing fire station. Thank you, Chuck!" the note said.
- Adam Krebs
By Monday, with the dust settled and the cleanup underway, owner Chuck Bigler had a decision to make about the dollar bills that famously hang from the ceiling.
"They had to come down," Bigler said. "We needed to clear it off quick. We had the ladders and the manpower, so we just did it."
The total amount came to about $3,000, and Bigler decided to donate it all to the New Glarus Fire Department.
"They saved the bar, so we decided to help them out," Bigler said.
He said the fire department was planning on building an addition and that his donation would go towards that fund.
Typically, Puempel's donates half the money on the ceiling each year to charity, but this year the donation is being done all at once.
An exhaust fan in the bathroom started the blaze, which destroyed the bathroom and a backroom. Bigler said the insurance company has taken over, hiring professionals to come in and restore the building.
"We're not sure how long it's going to take, but our goal is 30 days. It's only day four, so we've got a ways to go," said Bigler, who added that the bar hadn't closed for a weekend in his 25 years of ownership until now. That makes it "unique and different. But the people from around here have been amazing. They want to help, but right now we are just letting the insurance company handle everything, so there is not much else to do."
On its Facebook page, the New Glarus Fire Department thanked Bigler and the tavern for the donation.
"To show his appreciation for the New Glarus Fire Department's efforts during the fire at Puempel's Tavern on Friday night, owner, Chuck Bigler donated all of the money that famously lines the ceiling of this New Glarus landmark to the department. This generosity, totaling $3,000, despite such a challenging time for this business was quite moving. This will all go towards our building addition fund and our goal of being able to put an addition on the back of our existing fire station. Thank you, Chuck!" the note said.
- Adam Krebs