Good people. That is what I thought after hearing the story on Wednesday, May 13th of how Jim Bartels came to own a bar on the east side of the square. The date was only significant then because it was the first free night a buddy and I both had to celebrate. For him, completing his MBA. And for me, a birthday. So, we had our round of whiskey Old Fashioneds, marveling at how Jim does not short anyone on spirits. At some point, as conversations overlapped at the bar, someone made the comment that he had never heard how Jim and Rhonda came to own what was Bob’s Pub.
About two decades ago, when Rhonda was working at Bob’s, she heard a rumor that the bar had been sold. When she worked up the nerve to ask him about it, he had told her that he had not sold it and the only person he would sell it to was her. Bob followed that up by asking if she was interested. As Jim tells it, Rhonda said, “no and no.” Jim had recently lost his job and could not imagine owning a bar. But the numbers and the possibility and the timing suddenly made sense. And so, over the last 19 or so years, many of us have gotten to know Jim and Rhonda and Bartel’s. Maybe only through sponsorship plaques and raffles, but likely in more meaningful ways to many others.
Listening to Jim say he couldn’t imagine being anywhere else, I thought about ending my 29th birthday at Bartel’s with my mom and brother, and then again last year with friends for my 36th. Bartel’s has held steady in my life and in the community. The same is true of Don and Marilyn Martin at Martin’s, whose legacy and years of dedication I could never fully do justice to. And for Kevin and Kelsey Visel at Sunrise and Teena and Amanda at Spilled Grapes. As we called it a night, I again said to myself, “good people.”
The next day took a turn as fire broke out. I heard about it from another property owner on that same side of the square. The timing of hearing how Jim and Rhonda came to own Bartel’s and then witnessing it on fire has been eerie. You have likely heard and read and seen how the day unfolded.
As I have told friends outside of Monroe and Wisconsin about the fire, the response has often been that disasters can bring a community close together. I have no doubt that that is true. But what I am certain of is that Monroe is already a close community. The response has been an outpouring. Not sensationalized, but actions. Deb Hillary, Owner of Busy Bee Floral, set up a GoFundMe page for residents displaced. It raised over $13,000 for essential expenses such as food, clothing, and replacing basic household items needed for daily life.
Jeff, Owner of Buggyworks, closed that night to provide food for those impacted and the many first responders. Katie at Monroe Engraving and Judy at the Artful Gourmet went into overdrive during an 18-hour period. They received donations from 48 businesses throughout the area and created 55 gift baskets to raffle at the night market held on the 16th to dedicate the pocket park and public restrooms. Over $6,500 was raised, which is especially impressive when raffle tickets were only $1 each.
We have received calls from people offering employment for anyone temporarily out of work, from people wanting to know where they can drop off mattresses and clothing and gift cards. All of this occurred immediately, and we are in the process of better understanding the longer-term needs. Of the four buildings impacted, Martin’s is currently open but working through the process of knowing the total damages.
We have also been contacted about having a pop-up concert to raise funds and regulars will be hosting a benefit night at Cactus on June 14th.
Knowing that everyone is safe and feeling the responses, I am still thinking the same thing: good people.
— Jordan Nordby is the executive director for Main Street Monroe. He can be reached at MonroeMainStreet@tds.net. Anyone interested in finding out more, including on how to volunteer, can at
mainstreetmonroe.org.
