City Spirits: Kroll’s West Part II

Continued from previous edition

Now the sole owner of the Bodart House in 1905, August Bodart made needed improvements and went on to run a successful business.

Bodart became a respected man in the city and was elected as a supervisor.

After 16 years in the business, Bodart put the two-story, brick hotel building at 317-319 Main Street up for sale as he made plans to retire.

Two years later, in 1923, the hotel/restaurant/bar was sold to George J. Kustka and it became the Kustka Hotel.

In 1927, H.J. and Rose Schlag became involved in managing the business.

In 1928, Kustka was arrested for violating the “Dry Law” by State Prohibition Officer Edward Sullivan.

Kustka pleaded not guilty, but a month later, changed his plea to guilty and paid the $100 fine and costs.

In January 1929, Kustka was in trouble once again, as United States deputy marshals came to Green Bay to hang nine federal padlocks on “soft drink parlors” that had violated the law, including the Kustka Hotel.

Possibly due to the legal issues, Harry J. Kroll, Jr. and his wife, Caroline, took over management of the Kustka Hotel.

The food at the restaurant began to attract a steady clientele, and the couple soon looked to branch out on their own.

In October 1936, Harry applied for a license at 2118 Main Street in the town of Preble, near Oak Grove School, and opened Kroll’s lunch room and tavern.
In 1940, the lunch room took on extensive damage after a hot coal ignited the contents of a waste basket.

The building and its contents were insured, and orders were served in the tavern until the lunch room was repaired.

In the spring of 1941, Main Street, or Manitowoc Road, from Main Street in the city of Green Bay to the south line of the town, was renamed Main Boulevard and, the address for Kroll’s became 132 S. Main Blvd, Preble.

In the fall of 1944, the Krolls were among 35 tavern operators arrested for serving liquor after hours.

Harry Kroll was back in court again in May 1945 for serving after hours, but prosecutors dropped the charges.

The business was sold later that year to Harry’s sister and her husband, Isabel Kroll Schauer and Dick Schauer.

That business is now located at 1658 Main St., Green Bay, and called Kroll’s East.

That was the end of the Preble business dealings for Harry and Caroline, but not the end of their legacy.

Continued next week