Northwoods Drifter

Category: News

  • Empty Minocqua Burger King Purchased by Tribe

    Empty Minocqua Burger King Purchased by Tribe

    The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, through its business arm, the Lac du Flambeau Business Development Corporation (LDFBDC), has recently expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of a former Burger King site located on U.S. Highway 51 north in Minocqua.

    The LDFBDC, which currently encompasses a diverse range of businesses including LDF Holdings, Ojibwe Market, and Woodland Cannabis LLC, among others, has taken a significant step in its growth strategy with this purchase.

    The transaction was facilitated by Capital Minocqua, which finalized the land contract on December 13, as confirmed by Sara Chiamulera, the director of the Oneida County land information office. Chiamulera noted that the property exchanged hands for approximately $1.4 million, with a transfer fee of $4,200.

    Future of Minocqua Burger King

    The LDFBDC has a clear vision for its business ventures, aiming to create sustainable career opportunities that align with the cultural values and objectives of the Lac du Flambeau Tribal community. This vision is further detailed on the corporation’s website, which also highlights the mission to diversify the Tribe’s revenue streams beyond gaming and foster job creation for its members.

    Zachary Allen, the marketing manager for the LDFBDC, conveyed the organization’s enthusiasm for the new acquisition in a conversation with The Lakeland Times. While specific plans for the site are still under wraps, Allen emphasized the strategic nature of the purchase. He hinted that the property is expected to bolster the LDFBDC’s existing business operations and ultimately contribute to job creation and economic vitality in the region.

    As the LDFBDC forges ahead with this new venture, further details on the development and utilization of the property will be forthcoming, with updates to be provided to The Lakeland Times in due course.

  • Minocqua Coach House Demolished

    Minocqua Coach House Demolished

    The End of a Minocqua Landmark

    The historic house and Coach House Apartments at the corner of Oneida Street and Highway 51 in downtown Minocqua are no more. Demolition of the buildings began this past Monday, erasing a piece of Minocqua’s history.

    The house itself dated back to 1909 and had seen a variety of businesses over the years. More recently, the two-story building contained apartments upstairs. Behind it sat the Coach House Apartments, built in 1929 as the Barker Apartments.

    Tragedy struck in January when a fire broke out in one of the upstairs units, resulting in the death of 70-year-old Roger Nordrum. Though firefighters saved the Coach House from the flames, both buildings suffered heavy smoke, fire and water damage.

    In the months since, cost estimates for repairing and renovating climbed to around $900,000. Concerns over safety and structural issues ultimately led to the decision to demolish instead. Crews have been on site this week, erasing the damaged buildings bit by bit.

    It’s undoubtedly a sad loss for the town. Over a century of history gone due to one fateful fire. The lot now sits empty, awaiting whatever the future may bring for the prominent corner space. For many lifelong residents, it’s the end of an era.

    We can only hope what rises in its place will prove a worthy addition to Minocqua’s heritage.

  • Thirsty Whale Waiter Assaulted

    Thirsty Whale Waiter Assaulted

    The Thirsty Whale: Enough is Enough! – Waiter assaulted over Ahi Tuna sandwich.

    Anyone and everyone who has had the “pleasure” of working in customer services knows that the environment can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Personally, as a person who has worked in the customer service industry for ten plus years, knows that customer service can be both positive and negative.

    Located in Minocqua, WI The Thirsty Whale is a beloved pub and eatery that locals and tourists love to pay a visit to.

    As of lately this beloved restaurant has not had so much positivity to speak of. “What do you mean”, you may ask?

    Servers employed at The Thirsty Whale have been dealing with nasty and negative customers.

    Around the evening of August 17th, 2022, an older man became enraged with his server (Jason) as his tuna sandwich was not “cooked to perfection” Most people would politely send the food back and have it taken off the bill.

    thirsty whale bartender push

    People have taken to Facebook to express both their gratitude to the young server Jason who handled the situation so well, and also their negative outlook about the angered man.

    “Wow y’all work too hard to deal with people like that. Props to Jason for not clocking the old guy…”

    – Ryan C

    “Tough guy picking on a kid half his size… nice job as*****”!

    – Jeff z

    “We live in a culture where no one is ever wrong, it’s always someone’s else’s fault, the other team cheated, the others are out to get me, etc….it’s tiring that folks don’t accept responsibility and have a legit discussion”.

    – Eric S

    “People should work in this industry at least once in their lives-then they would think twice about their behavior-maybe”.

    – Janel F. 

    The point that the customer service industry is trying to get across is that enough is enough.

    The restaurant industry is still receiving low wages, fewer benefits, and disgusting customers like this man. Personally, I believe that everyone should work in the customer service industry once in their life to understand the struggle servers put up with.

    The next time you decide to go out for a bite to eat, remember that servers are humans just like you, and deserve to be treated fairly.