The Essen Haus German restaurant and companion bar the Come Back In, located on the 500 block of East Wilson Street downtown, remain open with reduced hours, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. The businesses were initially set to close at the end of August due to a redevelopment of the buildings, but that timeline has changed. Owner Bob Worm cited holdups with the real estate deal.
Worm said developer JCap Real Estate of Eau Claire is facing financing troubles; he has had two other interested developers as well. He emphasized that the deal has not fallen through but is facing delays.
JCap CEO and founder Brian Johnson said there is no set closing date for the sale and that he has an investor on the apartment side of the development but is still seeking one or two for the hotel side.
Essen Haus is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights and features entertainment from polka bands; the Come Back In operates Thursday–Monday nights with bands on Saturdays and a Monday open mic.
