‘It’s time for the building to have a fresh look’

Rachel Kroeger

Staff

June 2, 2025

ASHWAUBENON – One of Greater Green Bay’s culinary and community staples, standing proudly in the shadows of Lambeau Field, is still open for business despite the ruckus of renovations outside its front door.

Michael Wier – owner of Kroll’s West, located at 1990 S. Ridge Road in Ashwaubenon – said his wife’s grandparents started the restaurant at its first location on Green Bay’s east side in 1936.

“They (expanded) to two downtown locations after that, (and) this building was built in 1973,” he said. “So, as of this January, we(‘ve been) here for 50 years. I’ve been a part of (Kroll’s) for 60 years. So, I was also downtown (working at the east-side location) for 10 years, (and now) my wife and I own (the west-side location) totally by ourselves.”

About 10 years ago, Wier said he started thinking about whether it was time to “start refreshing Kroll’s.”

“(We) had a contractor who worked with us for years who was really set to go ahead (with the project at that time),” he said. “Unfortunately, he picked up some really large jobs and just didn’t have time for us. So, we set (the project) back a little bit.”

Wier said that brought him to last year, when he began talking with local construction company, Keller, Inc., about revisiting his renovation plans.

“I met up with the Keller people last year and said, ‘This is what I want to do,’ and they brought me some drawings,” he said. “So, we’ve decided to go ahead and do it – refresh the outside (and put in) a new bar – and then we’ll look at the idea next year of possibly redoing all the booth work (inside).”

Except for the 10 days in July that he’ll have to close to install the new bar, Wier said Kroll’s West will remain open for the duration of the renovation project.

Careful construction choices

When he announced Kroll’s West would be undergoing some renovations this year, Wier said the general reaction among the restaurant’s “stellar customers” was “excitement.”

“We have a lot of neighbors here, a lot of people (who have)… been coming here all their lives – I’ve been here all my life – and when they saw that we were doing this, everybody who’s seen the drawings (said), ‘Yay!’” he said.

Wier said that doesn’t mean there isn’t a little discomfort and inconvenience right now.

“Yeah, there’s going to be for two months, but (the customers) seem to be fine,” he said. “Our takeout hasn’t dropped at all. This is a quiet time of the year, so I just thought it’s a good time to do it.”

In the weeks leading up to, and following the 2025 NFL Draft, Wier said the roads surrounding Lambeau Field were closed off – deeply impacting the local businesses whose customers relied on those roads to access them.

“Ridge Road, our main street, was closed for 17, 18 days,” he said. “That took its toll on us – that took its toll on all the businesses around here.”

Because of that lost business, Wier said it was especially important that they decided to only focus on upgrading Kroll’s exterior at this time so the staff could continue serving both its loyal patrons and newcomers – especially immediately following the draft.

“I think right now, there’s a little confusion, because with so much construction going on outside, people think we’re not open, but we are, and that’s the hard thing for us to convey,” he said.

For 50 years, Wier said, Kroll’s has “been able to compete in Ashwaubenon” – despite the ever-evolving culinary scene – because of its comfortability and community value.

“Our reputation (is that) the employees do a great job, as far as I’m concerned, and I think that all bodes well for the business,” he said. “People want a place where they can be comfortable. It’s clean, and it should be quiet enough to make sure they can enjoy themselves. I’m not a loud-sports-bar guy – I never was – I just love (creating a) family environment.”

However, Wier said on Packers game days, despite how low he tries to keep the volume in Kroll’s, the roar of the crowd in and around Lambeau Field regularly fills any gaps of silence – much to his customers’ amusement.

“The TV delay is amazing,” he said. “So, you hear what’s going on (at the stadium) and then it comes on the TV. People kind of eat that up. They like that.”

Progress, preservation

Wier said he decided 2025 was the year of exterior renovations for Kroll’s because “it (was) just time.”

“It’s old,” he said. “So, I look at it… as an update to (the exterior) part of the building. We’ll look at the rest of the building next winter. I want to see how well this goes.”

The renovation plans for the exterior of Kroll’s West – which include installing a stone tower in front, as well as stone along the sides of the building, an additional entrance and new sidewalks – Wier said, were carefully selected to bring the building up to “today’s standards.”

“(We’re giving the building) a nice dress-up,” he said. “The thing’s 50 years old – it’s time – and the (projects) we’re doing this year, I think, are pretty refreshing. I’m excited to see them (complete).”

Despite the updates, Wier said he wanted to assure his patrons that traditions like Kroll’s outdoor bar service and its Packers-game-day food trailer are sticking around.

“This stone tower in front, initially, we wanted (it) to go out farther (so) on game days, the bars would actually be inside and (bartenders) would be serving out through windows,” he said. “Curiously, my bartenders didn’t want that. They’re happier to stand out in the cold and be a real part of the group. So, we’ll continue with our exterior bars the way we’ve always done it. They like it that way. We did put a big infrared heating system above it, so they’re pretty comfy out there.”

The compromise of keeping the outdoor bar service tradition, while moving forward with a modified plan for the new stone tower, Wier said, is an example of how he and Keller are working together to “make (Kroll’s) up to date” while maintaining the integrity of its history.

“We don’t want to take away Kroll’s,” he said. “I mean, it’s amazing how many people have been in Kroll’s from Europe, from (across) the (United) States – we have people coming in here all the time – and (I’m proud) to say it’s almost like a (Green Bay) bucket list item to people.”

And residents of Green Bay and beyond, Wier said, can continue to enjoy themselves in the comfort of Kroll’s as construction continues outside.

“We just want everybody to know we’re open right now – so come (and visit),” he said. “Don’t let a little dirt outside stop you.”

For more updates on Kroll’s West and its current renovations, visit its website (krollswest.com) or Facebook page.