Stratford, WI (OnFocus) Severt’s Fine Foods in Stratford is getting a new owner.
Jennifer Fischer will re-open the restaurant as the Tiger Stop Cafe on March 1, taking over from owner Mike Fitzgerald, who plans to step down at the end of the month.
“There’s a lot that can be done with that place if somebody just puts a little work into it,” Fischer said.
The Tiger Stop Cafe will have a similar menu to Severt’s. A breakfast and lunch buffet will be served on Saturdays and Sundays, and the Friday fish fry buffet and salad bar will expand with more items. There will be an emphasis on fresh products over pre-packaged foods, she said.
As the owner of Down Under Bar & Grill in Stratford for three years and a part-time waitress at Severt’s, Fischer is familiar with the restaurant business.
She was encouraged to step into ownership again by her 12-year-old daughter, Maddie, who helped her waitress on the weekends and was concerned by the needs of Severt’s elderly regulars who depend on the $6 senior menu for many of their meals.
“One of the elderly ladies was tearing up, just talking about having a place to go,” Fischer said. “Maddie was like, ‘Mom, you can’t let these people have nowhere to go.’”
Opening the restaurant the day after Severt’s closes will allow her to continue serving those elderly customers without pause.
An aide for special needs students at Stratford School District who’s also pursuing her teaching degree, Fischer will be depending on a great team for the success of the restaurant.
“I’m very blessed to have people who, when I presented this to them this weekend on the fly, they said absolutely, we’ll help you,” she said. “I have an amazing group of friends who are all familiar with the business.”
The Tiger Stop Cafe will be open from 7-2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7-7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with potential adjustments during the summer. It’ll be located at 104 Meadow Street off of Highway 97.
Stratford students and staff who stop in and show their school ID will be eligible for $1 off their meal.
The Tiger Stop Cafe will be looking for reliable staff to be part of the team. Message Jennifer Katzberg (Fischer) through Facebook if interested.
Author: News Desk
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