Pickerman's To Re-Open Sept. 11
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Pickerman's To Re-Open Sept. 11
By Jennifer [email protected]
Mike and Chuck Simpson, brothers and owners of Union Tool, Warsaw, purchased the cafe July 31. The Simpsons also own Center Lake Plaza strip mall where Pickerman's Cafe, 918 N. Detroit St., Warsaw, is located.[[In-content Ad]]During an interview at the cafe Tuesday afternoon, Chuck said it was an easy decision to purchase the cafe.
"We obviously had an advantage because we already owned the building and we always enjoyed coming here and being a patron of Pickerman's," Chuck said. "Our friends and family always enjoyed the restaurant so knowing Rich wanted to retire we thought we would take it over."
Rich Weihler, former owner of Pickerman's Cafe, said although it was not an easy decision to close the cafe, he made the decision to retire and close the business. He said he is happy the cafe will re-open soon.
Weihler first opened the cafe in 2003, and it closed in July. He said he had hoped the cafe could have not had to transition with closing and could have stayed open.
"I knew we had a lot of loyal customers here, people I have known for quite awhile," Weihler said.
Weihler said the economy slowed the business down, and he felt it was a good time to look onward. The cafe had been for sale since March.
Before Weihler closed the cafe, the Simpsons approached him to voice their interest in purchasing the cafe.
The Simpsons said this is their first venture in owning a restaurant and look forward to Weihler's guidance and input. Weihler will serve as a consultant and employee for training purposes for a few months once the cafe re-opens.
Weihler said he knew the Simpsons for five years because they served as Pickerman's Cafe landlord. He said he is glad the cafe can continue to meet the community's needs.
"I know there were a lot of disappointed people when we first decided to close, but they knew I retired so it wasn't a big shock," Weihler said. "Pickerman's is a very unique place with all the soups and sandwiches we have to offer and provides customers with different choices."
Pickerman's was a franchise Weihler purchased in 2003. He also worked for Pizza Hut for 20 years and managed the Pizza Hut on Detroit Street.
When asked why he chose to retire, he joked he turned the "right age."
"I turned 62 in March and I knew when we first opened, this would be my last endeavor," Weihler said.
Weihler has worked in the restaurant business since 1968.
Jeff Miner, Warsaw, will serve as general manager.
Miner has been in the restaurant business for more than 20 years. He previously was employed as a cook and bartender at the Downtown Eatery, served as general manager of Dewart Lake Inn, and was head chef at Bogey's Steakhouse.
The cafe accepted applications Monday and Tuesday, and are no longer receiving applications. They plan to select and hire a few employees from that pool of applicants. Plans also are to re-hire some of its former employees.
Lunch hours will be Sundays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cafe will be closed on Saturdays.
Beginning Oct. 1, the cafe plans to offer a dinner hour in addition to its lunch hour, emphasizing its pastas. The cafe also will continue to offer a kid's menu and catering services.
To keep competitive, the business plans to lower its deli-style sandwich prices from $5.99 to $4.99. They also at some point plan to acquire a beer and wine license.
Customers will be able to phone in orders, and there will be separate lines in the cafe for carry-out orders and dine-in customers.
The business can be contacted at 574-267-2989.
Mike and Chuck Simpson, brothers and owners of Union Tool, Warsaw, purchased the cafe July 31. The Simpsons also own Center Lake Plaza strip mall where Pickerman's Cafe, 918 N. Detroit St., Warsaw, is located.[[In-content Ad]]During an interview at the cafe Tuesday afternoon, Chuck said it was an easy decision to purchase the cafe.
"We obviously had an advantage because we already owned the building and we always enjoyed coming here and being a patron of Pickerman's," Chuck said. "Our friends and family always enjoyed the restaurant so knowing Rich wanted to retire we thought we would take it over."
Rich Weihler, former owner of Pickerman's Cafe, said although it was not an easy decision to close the cafe, he made the decision to retire and close the business. He said he is happy the cafe will re-open soon.
Weihler first opened the cafe in 2003, and it closed in July. He said he had hoped the cafe could have not had to transition with closing and could have stayed open.
"I knew we had a lot of loyal customers here, people I have known for quite awhile," Weihler said.
Weihler said the economy slowed the business down, and he felt it was a good time to look onward. The cafe had been for sale since March.
Before Weihler closed the cafe, the Simpsons approached him to voice their interest in purchasing the cafe.
The Simpsons said this is their first venture in owning a restaurant and look forward to Weihler's guidance and input. Weihler will serve as a consultant and employee for training purposes for a few months once the cafe re-opens.
Weihler said he knew the Simpsons for five years because they served as Pickerman's Cafe landlord. He said he is glad the cafe can continue to meet the community's needs.
"I know there were a lot of disappointed people when we first decided to close, but they knew I retired so it wasn't a big shock," Weihler said. "Pickerman's is a very unique place with all the soups and sandwiches we have to offer and provides customers with different choices."
Pickerman's was a franchise Weihler purchased in 2003. He also worked for Pizza Hut for 20 years and managed the Pizza Hut on Detroit Street.
When asked why he chose to retire, he joked he turned the "right age."
"I turned 62 in March and I knew when we first opened, this would be my last endeavor," Weihler said.
Weihler has worked in the restaurant business since 1968.
Jeff Miner, Warsaw, will serve as general manager.
Miner has been in the restaurant business for more than 20 years. He previously was employed as a cook and bartender at the Downtown Eatery, served as general manager of Dewart Lake Inn, and was head chef at Bogey's Steakhouse.
The cafe accepted applications Monday and Tuesday, and are no longer receiving applications. They plan to select and hire a few employees from that pool of applicants. Plans also are to re-hire some of its former employees.
Lunch hours will be Sundays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cafe will be closed on Saturdays.
Beginning Oct. 1, the cafe plans to offer a dinner hour in addition to its lunch hour, emphasizing its pastas. The cafe also will continue to offer a kid's menu and catering services.
To keep competitive, the business plans to lower its deli-style sandwich prices from $5.99 to $4.99. They also at some point plan to acquire a beer and wine license.
Customers will be able to phone in orders, and there will be separate lines in the cafe for carry-out orders and dine-in customers.
The business can be contacted at 574-267-2989.
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