From BBC to BBQ

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Staff Writer

While liquor license troubles and failed business ventures make up the recent history at 217 North Pine Street, Twin Lakes resident Wayne Schultz is taking a different approach.

It’s the same approach he’s taken as a successful boys volleyball coach – and one he hopes will aid him as the new owner of what was former the Brickyard and Burlington Brewing Company.

“I surround myself with people I love and trust,” said Schultz, who enters this new venture with his wife Meg.

The couple closed on the former BBC properly late last week, and hope to restore it to a popular place for both eating and drinking.

The new name? Brickyard BBQ and Tavern.

“There’s a pretty strong vibe in the community about the place being open again,” said Schultz. “People are excited about seeing the old Brickyard come back.”

The business gained a certain amount of notoriety last summer as the building’s former tenant turned in the site’s liquor license. When another business owner in town applied for the license, WAN LLC – the company that owns the building at 217 North Pine – claimed it had wanted the license but the request got held up in paperwork.

In the end, the other applicant – Jesse Aguirre and Lucky Star restaurant – received the available license. The city’s reserve liquor license was awarded to the former BBC as considerable expense, and those involved with WAN LLC said a deal was imminent to reopen the place.

Schultz said Tuesday that he and his wife have been searching for a good site now for three years.

“It’s always been my wife’s dream,” Schultz said. “She loves to feed people.

“This building here feels right to us,” he added. “Burlington feels good to us.”

Schultz said the plan now is to offer appetizers and other typical “bar food,” but limit the main menu to about 8-10 items. Those will be smokehouse-style meals – barbecue ribs, pulled pork, chicken, etc.

“And we’re going to do those very well,” Schultz said.

He is focusing on three basic business principals in trying to succeed where others have failed at the site – great service, great food and value.

“If you don’t like people, don’t come work for us,” Schultz said. “You have to have service, quality and value. Most businesses miss on one, two or three of those things and do not last long.”

A soft opening is planned sometime in April, Schultz explained, saying when things were ready, the couple would turn on the lights and open the doors.

A grand opening celebration would be planned for sometime shortly after that.