GLENDALE, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) - For many people, a Memorial Day cookout is a tradition signaling the unofficial start of summer. The Brick Pub & Grill in Glendale fired up its grills for an unusual barbecue to start an unusual summer.

Owners Tim and Chelsea Hren handed out dozens of free hot dogs and brats in a parking lot drive-thru to thank the customers whose take-out orders kept their five-year-old business alive through the pandemic.

“They came out in droves, and it was awesome,” Chelsea Hren said. “They kind of kept our name out there, kept me and Tim sane because we had something to do. So this is a good kind of kickoff to summer to thank them.”

The Brick was allowed to reopen its bar and dining areas last week. Those who stuck around Monday got to hear live music from Phil Norby. He was the first musician booked at the Brick in 2015. Monday was his first in-person gig in two and a half months.

“This has been how I make my living for the last 10 years. It was weird to be completely cut off from it for a while,” Norby said. “It was a really cool idea on their part and something that I’m proud to be part of.”

The sound of a guitar on the patio on a warm afternoon feels familiar at the Brick. But a lot of things will feel different as the business goes forward.

“Right now, it’s really kind of a wait-and-see what goes on these next couple weeks,” Chelsea Hren said. “But hopefully it’s a great summer.”

For the Hrens, it would be a great summer that begins with a thank you to those who got them through a difficult spring.