MANITOWOC – Can’t you almost smell the deliciousness of bread-baking and cake-making wafting from North 11th Street in Manitowoc?
After months of waiting, the iconic Hartman’s Bakery will reopen on March 10.
Perhaps you want to get in line now for what is sure to be a crazy weekend for the bakery, closed after a kitchen fire.
But read Streetwise before you head out the door, of course! Here’s the latest business news from around Manitowoc County.
The long-awaited reopening of Hartman’s Bakery is almost here
Crews are bringing in heavy equipment, adding phone service, finishing up the siding outside of the store and putting up an awning.
That’s it, before the bakery and pastry shop, 901 N. 11th St., opens for customers.
Co-owner Austin Rehrauer, who owns the bakery with his wife Luisa, bought the business in summer 2019 and had it up and running for a few months before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
They expanded their business to Two Rivers in late 2020, and Austin’s cousin opened a third location in Plymouth in 2021.
The original bakery caught on fire July 27. The fire started in the kitchen vents, and the worst damage happened in the kitchen area. All baked items, thousands of dollars in ingredients and much of the equipment in the immediate area of the fire were thrown out.
The main bakery made frosted cookies, donuts, bread and other baked goods for sites in both Two Rivers — which is also closed — and Plymouth.
Since then, it’s been a long process of remodeling and fixing up the site, with contracting delays making the progress take longer than anticipated.
Now, the big day is here.
The plan is to open the Manitowoc and Plymouth stores on March 10. Two Rivers will reopen on March 14, to help ease some of the craziness expected when the Manitowoc site opens, Luisa told Streetwise.
The Hartman’s Bakery of Plymouth and G Scoops, 117 Division St., is owned by Neal and Kristen Moenburg. The couple moved the business from Mill Street in late fall and expanded to include an ice cream shop. In addition to yummy baked treats, you can try delicious premium hard ice cream made by Scoops of Chilton, soft-serve dishes, as well as sundaes, mixers, banana splits and shakes.
For details and updated hours as Hartman’s reopens, visit https://www.facebook.com/hartmansbakery/.
Ribbon-cutting at Cool City
There’s a new place in town to grab a cold pint and some hearty food — or maybe a cup of coffee, if that’s more your thing.
Cool City Brewing Company, 1718 W. Park St., Two Rivers, opened in fall, and owners are planning a ribbon-cutting and grand-opening event this Wednesday through Sunday.
The event kicks off at 6 am Wednesday with $1 specialty coffee drinks, such as lattes, mochas, espressos and more. Customers can enjoy them inside, or pick one up at the store’s drive-thru until 6 pm
A ribbon-cutting is set for 11:30 am and guests are invited to stay all day for half-price appetizers with the purchase of an entrée.
A variety of other events will keep the celebration going throughout the week. Learn more at www.coolcitybrewing.com.
The business is owned by two couples — Curt and Jean Andrews and Barry and Gina Krahn. They bought the former Wells Fargo Bank building and renovated it into a brewpub and restaurant.
They plan to feature 20 beers on tap, as well as hard seltzers and ciders.
Redline Plastics up for big award
Redline Plastics, a manufacturer and supplier of molded and specialty plastics, is a finalist for the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year in the medium category for a second time.
The award program recognizes the state’s top manufacturers of all sectors and sizes for their commitment to quality careers, good business practices, financial growth, innovative processes and reinvestment into their own communities.
“This nomination is a direct reflection of the achievements and efforts made by our Redline Plastics team over the past five years,” said Redline Plastics CEO Chuck Webster. “I am incredibly proud of the culture of this organization and to be recognized with this honor.”
Awards were given at a ceremony in mid-February in Milwaukee.
Redline Plastics has been nominated for several industry awards this year. In addition to being named a WMOTY finalist, Murray and Webster will be accepting their award as one of Plastics’ News “Best Places To Work” at the Plastics News Executive Forum on Feb. 28. The company is also a finalist for Plastics News’ prestigious “Processor of the Year” award, which will be chosen at the same event.
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Got a tip, question or comment for Streetwise Manitowoc? Contact reporter Patti Zarling at [email protected] or call 920-606-2586. Follow her on Twitter @PGPattiZarling.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Hartman’s Bakery in Manitowoc, Two Rivers, Plymouth sets open date
