() Comments
Trek to Sturgis was the impetus for new motorcycle-themed eatery
By Michael Burke
YORKVILLE - A motorcycle trip last year brought two area men more than rest and relaxation. It also brought them together as partners in a new career.
Sometime today Ray Grundhoefer and Larry Wojtecki expect to open the doors of Spokes, their new restaurant and bar just west of
Interstate 94.
Spokes is designed to appeal, first and foremost, to motorcyclists. That's fitting, considering its origins.
"On the ride we talked about starting the business," recalled Grundhoefer, who has since moved to Mount Pleasant. "I remember the exact moment. We were standing in Custer, S.D., where we were camping. We were walking down street, and Larry pointed to a building and said, `That's the kind of restaurant I want to build.' " Wojtecki, now 63, was a meat cutter for Jewel then but had many years of delicatessen experience. Grundhoefer, who was then selling boating equipment, came from McDonald's Corp. Together, he said, their restaurant experience exceeds 75 years.
They bought a piece of land between the Culver's Restaurant and the Racine County Convention and Visitors Bureau building, at 14001 Washington Ave. (Highway 20). They erected an all-cedar building of 3,800 square feet, two stories tall but open from the first floor to the ceiling.
Also, through the open rafters, the partners have hung 12 vintage motorcycles, Wojtecki's collection, dating back to a 1929 Harley- Davidson.
Spokes is designed to appeal to all motorcyclists - not just those who ride a Harley-Davidson, Grundhoefer emphasized. He ranked the customer base as follows: first motorcyclists; then travelers; then truckers; then locals.
The partners found a natural division of responsibilities based on their backgrounds. Wojtecki has the cafe/deli experience and will oversee the food. Grundhoefer will oversee the general aspects of the operation.
"We combined a little fast food with (Wojtecki's) deli experience, and this what we came up with," Grundhoefer remarked.
The food will be deli-style, all freshly made on the premises. Wojtecki will cut steaks and grind the beef for hamburgers. They will make their own salads and bake their rolls on site.
Grilled sandwiches will range in price from $5-$7. Hamburgers will come in one-quarter, one-third, one-half and one-pound sizes ranging from $3 to $7.
The food is served Culver's style; customers will order at the counter, be given a table tent and the hot food is brought to them.
Spokes also has a full bar license.
The restaurant will be open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. The bar will stay open to 11 p.m. most nights and midnight on Fridays and
Saturdays.
For more information, call Spokes at (262) 898-7900.
Special Offer: Get 5 Weeks of the Journal Times for $7!
