GREEN LAKE, Wis. — A well-known Wisconsin resort is back in business. The Heidel House in Green Lake has reopened after being closed for two years.
The resort is back with new owners and a multimillion-dollar renovation. Throughout the past year, a group of investors have worked to bring the resort back. The group has undertaken significant renovation efforts. Most notably, the lobby has been completely redesigned and guest rooms updated.
Mike White is one of the investors behind the project. As a Green Lake resident, he said having the hotel back up and running isn’t just about making money but helping the community.
“We were a resort community without a resort any longer. Immediate effects were noticed with the foot traffic coming into the city,” said White.
When the resort closed, local businesses said they felt the impact. Staff at Green Lake Mercantile said they saw about a 30% decrease in business. Now, with the resort back open, things are beginning to improve.
“Hopefully with Heidel House reopening they can start hosting some weddings. That seems to bring a lot of people in from all over the country, and they want to come downtown and look around,” says store owner Al Walker.
Renovations at Heidel House remain ongoing. Around 80 rooms are back open for guests, with another 35 expected to open later this summer.