GOING SOMEWHERE? Somewhere Pub in Altoona will feature all the summer vibes you need, even in the middle of winter. Check it out on opening day, May 31.

The only thing missing from Somewhere Pub is a tropical beach, filled with warm sand between your toes. 

That’s according to owner Justin Held, who owns Property Minds – a property management company he started in 2019 with his father, Mark Held – which developed the newest River Flats apartments in River Prairie, as well as the new beachy-keen restaurant. 

The new bar and eatery – which officially opens Monday, May 31 – brings Caribbean-inspired vibes to the heart of Altoona, featuring tropical pizza courtesy of Geno’s Pizza, piña coladas, daiquiris, Olson’s ice cream, rice bowls, jerk chicken, and more. 

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It has to stand out. It has to be unique.

Justin Held

OWNER

“It has to stand out,” Held said. “It has to be unique.” 

And stand out it does.

The bright, cyan color of the exterior, beachy fonts and signage, and metal palm trees – created by Greg Johnson of Artisan Forge Metalworks in Eau Claire – is eye-catching, and it all conveys the vibe Held is going for: beachy, summery, and all-around Carribean.

There’s even a walk-up window for folks passing by who may want a scoop of ice cream on a hot day.

“We wanted to have you feel like really the only thing you’re missing when you walk in is the beach and the sand,” he said.

The Caribbean inspiration is something new to the Chippewa Valley, though not to Held, who fondly recalls childhood travels to the Turks and Caicos Islands. He wanted to bring that same energy to the Chippewa Valley, he said.

“I’m excited for the community to see the final product,” he said. “I think it’s going to (have) one of the most unique drink menus in the whole Eau Claire and Chippewa Valley area.”

Check out Somewhere Pub at www.somewherepub.com or at 1485 Front Porch Place, Altoona.