History Entrepreneurship Food+Drink
LOVE, TEARS, & ROOT BEERS: Fish Family Continues Efforts to Open Dave’s Drive-In
family pushes through hurdles to revitalize beloved Chippewa Falls root beer stand
Starting a business from the ground up is hard enough as it is, but taking on the revival of a beloved, long-shuttered business adds its own complications. The Fish family knew this when they dove head-first into the revitalization of the former Mary Ann’s Root Beer Stand in Chippewa Falls, and it has been one heck of a journey since the project’s beginning in early 2022.
Owner Anneliese Fish, her husband Bob, and their kids have spent the last year working on breathing new life into the building at 12 E Elm St., which they have dubbed Dave’s Drive-In. (The name was inspired by Anneliese’s father, Dave, who served St. Joseph’s Hospital for more than 30 years and was a pillar of the Chippewa Falls community.)
The Fish family naturally expected there to be hurdles along the way, but the reality of the building’s structural integrity came with heartbreak. On Dec. 1, the Dave’s Drive-In social media accounts shared a video with pictures of the root beer stand over the decades with Anneliese delivering news that they would have to start from scratch: The building needed to come down.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we let you know that the stand must come down. ... Of all the unexpected hurdles we’ve come across thus far, this news has been the most devastating.” –Anneliese Fish
“It’s with heavy hearts that we let you know that the stand must come down. After a year and a half of working to salvage the building, we’ve come to the conclusion that it’s in everyone’s best interest to start new,” Anneliese started. “Of all the unexpected hurdles we’ve come across thus far, this news has been the most devastating.”
For months, the family’s plan was to have the original building lifted with a crane and placed in an adjacent spot on the property so the foundation could be excavated and re-poured. The sewage, gas, and water lines all need to be replaced, and they wanted to do so before setting the stand back on the new foundation.
However, after months of prepping the property – including parceling and rezoning the property from commercial to residential, pulling in a local architect to revise their plans to be ADA compliant, following state regulations, getting permits, and completing some demolition work – the family found that the metal frame, which had been standing for 100 years, was unsalvageable. “The perimeter of the building was like dust,” Anneliese said. “You’d barely touch it with your foot and it would crumble.”
After this realization, contractors advised the Fish family how to move forward, telling them there was no guarantee that plans wouldn’t have to change even if they attempted to spend a significant amount of time and money saving the original structure.
“Our main concern was maintaining the integrity of the building. The history and longevity of the building made us want to preserve it for anyone who may have had memories attached to it,” Anneliese explained. “We loved the idea of owning something that has been part of this community for so long.”
With all the bumps along the way, there was nothing as devastating as realizing they would have to tear down the building and start from scratch, Anneliese said.
Within the past couple of weeks, new blueprints have been drawn up with adherence to new realities and requirements of the project. The Fish family is working on crafting a signature root beer; narrowing down local businesses they’ll partner with to source products such as cheese curds, meats, and more; and meeting with local printing companies, accountants, attorneys, marketing specialists, and others.
“There have been many learning curves, both positive and negative. But that's just it, we are chasing our dreams, we have a vision and a plan. Plain and simple, we are not willing to give up.” –Anneliese Fish
Along the way, the family uncovered old menus and some of the old equipment, which is influencing what their final menu will be. While you’ll have to wait until closer to the eatery’s opening to hear specifics, Anneliese shared that her Southern roots run deep, especially from a culinary perspective. (“Southern flair,” anyone?)
Though they are not sharing a projected opening date right now, there is a timeline they are working with, and Dave’s Drive-In will be brought to life.
In the Dec. 1 video, the Fish family asked folks to share memories of the original business during its heyday. They received many funny, heartwarming memories, including first dates and first kisses, break ups, first jobs, even first cigarettes, all tied to the root beer stand. They even heard stories about previous owners “Nickel Nose” and (of course) Mary Ann Smith.
One of the most memorable stories came from the 1950s and 1960s, when teenagers would sit atop a tall retaining wall next to a home across from the stand. In typical teen fashion, they continued to sit on the wall even after being told not to. As a result, the owner of the house painted the top of the wall with tar, and when the kids returned, they quickly discovered their pants and skirts were left covered in sticky tar. “We can imagine him watching from his window, getting the last laugh,” Anneliese shared.
“We knew this would be an uphill battle. It is a building that has been sitting vacant for the majority of my life,” Anneliese said. “There have been many learning curves, both positive and negative. But that’s just it: We are chasing our dreams, we have a vision and a plan. Plain and simple, we are not willing to give up. Our kids are watching us, the community is watching us, and we are determined to succeed in the interest of all.”
Keep sharing your memories, encouragement, and support with the Fish family and what will be Dave’s Drive-In. This is the Chippewa Valley, after all: With some love, sweat, and tears, small-town dreams can turn into realities, creating memories that span generations.
For future updates from the Fish family, follow Dave’s Drive-In on Facebook and Instagram.
