BACK TO GALLOWAY. The Fremont will open on St. Patrick's Day at 409 Galloway St., Eau Claire, formerly occupied by Galloway Grille (pictured above) and The Cranky Buzzard.

In just a few days, The Fremont will welcome folks in for burgers, live music, and an environment its owner hopes will become a go-to for locals. It’s set to open at 409 Galloway St., a downtown E.C. spot that was the longtime home of Galloway Grille until the fall of 2022 when The Cranky Buzzard took over the location for about a year.

Matthew Snapp, owner of The Fremont, spent years in the area’s service industry and said he knew there was a good chance he would return someday. When the opportunity presented itself to open his own joint right on Galloway Street, he grabbed it.

“We’re shooting for that fun, out-of-the-ordinary experience, with interactive live music and games that give quest more than just a place to get a bite to eat or grab a drink,” Snapp said. “All too often I hear people say how expensive it is to eat out as of late, so we aim to offer an alternative.”

With a central focus on offering a cost-conscious menu (all regular items under $10), The Fremont will start out small with lunch and dinner options, dishing up burgers, a few sandwiches, salads, and a-la-carte options – like the Always Sunny in Philly sandwich, Bronco Beans and pasta salad sides, Double Trouble burger, and more – until staff are comfortable. Snapp said he then hopes to expand to offer breakfast and specials.

Submitted logo image.

After closing, The Cranky Buzzard surrendered its liquor license, and the Eau Claire City Council granted a Class B license to The Fremont at its Tuesday, Feb. 13, meeting.

The Fremont will lean into historic highlights of the area, decorating with local memorabilia and some novelty pieces, creating a “hodgepodge of cool things,” Snapp said.

The pub and grill will also focus on live music, including artists interacting with guests as they play guitar and sing, as well as offering karaoke and potentially an old player piano.

Ultimately, The Fremont is aiming to be a go-to joint for locals looking for good food at a good price: Snapp notes that he isn’t aiming for a luxury dining experience. “We won’t be the fanciest place in town,” he said, “but we’ll turn (food out) fast, it’ll taste great; it will fill you up and won’t break the bank.”

As Snapp and The Fremont’s growing team continue to nail down details (including hours of operation and employment opportunities) they do have an opening date: Saturday, March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day.

Keep up with The Fremont on Facebook for details on employment opportunities and the most up-to-date information. The Fremont’s website will is also getting up and running and will be updated soon.