After 18 years on the road, Lake Church Inn proprietor settles down
The new proprietor of the Lake Church Inn, Andrew Miller of North Fond du Lac, was a truck driver for 18 years and stopped at many cafes along his routes.
So when he saw the tavern and inn built in 1852 on Highway D in the Town of Belgium that had once been a hotel and stage coach stop, he knew this was the place where he wanted to settle down.
“I love the historic building,” Miller said. “I love the 1800s and the whole idea of life back then.
“I had been looking to get out of trucking and always had a desire to own something like this, where there is a bar, restaurant and hotel.”
Miller, who took over March 1, said the family-oriented community attracted him and having Harrington Beach State Park down the road should be good for business, especially when the campground opens in May.
His wife Deanna, who is a special-education teacher’s assistant, and three children — Katyrée, 18, Mackenzie, 16, and Jordan, 12 — are still in North Fond du Lac, but come to the inn on weekends.
They help with the Friday night fish fries and breakfasts that Miller started. Breakfast is available all day Thursdays through Sundays. More items have been added to the lunch menu.
The family plans to live on the second floor of the inn. Miller is currently living in one of the rooms in the separate lodge building east of the tavern and restaurant.
The children, he said, are looking forward to living here in the summer.
“They like it a lot,” Miller said. “They’re looking forward to going to the park. They have plans to go fishing and boating on Lake Michigan.”
Katyree is a freshman nursing student at the University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac. Mackenzie is a sophomore at North Fond du Lac High School and Jordan is a sixth-grader at the middle school.
Miller said the family has several ideas for the summer, including outdoor fish boils, pig roasts and concerts.
The establishment is open from 3 p.m. until close Mondays through Wednesdays and 6 a.m. until close Thursdays through Sundays.
Miller is leasing the property from Dave Maiman, who said he wants to pursue other interests.
Image Information: new proprietors of the Lake Church Inn, Andrew and Deanna Miller and their son Jordan, 12, stood outside the historic building that will soon be home. The family, which includes two teenage daughters, plans to live above the tavern and restaurant. Photo by Sam Arendt
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