2008 Woodie Awards
New bar to feature UW-Whitewater theme
Alex Koldeway
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: News
The Hawk's Nest Bar and Grill will soon open at 214 Whitewater St., formerly the Longbranch Saloon.
Owner Adam Graves, 31, purchased the Longbranch in October and began renovations at the end of December. Graves said the bar will have a new ceiling, stools, tables, coolers, televisions, lighting and flooring, but he will keep the old swinging doors.
"I just wanted to give it a facelift, some TLC," he said.
The new bar will have a UW-Whitewater theme, with purple decorations and an autographed Warhawk football helmet. Graves said his goal was to create a place people will look forward to visiting.
"I just want people to come out and have a good time," he said. "That's the point of going out ... going somewhere and having fun."
Graves' original goal was to open the Hawk's Nest on Feb. 1, but the large amount of work forced him to push the opening back.
"When you do a massive overhaul you run into things, and deadlines get pushed back," he said.
Although the bar will look different, Graves said he expects his new customers to be similar to the patrons of the Longbranch.
"I'm not really out to change a whole lot," he said. "We had a really good group of people that came in here. The thing I like best about this place is the people who come in here and the people who keep coming back."
The Hawk's Nest will keep most of the same staff who previously worked at the Longbranch and will continue to have raffles and specials. Graves said he eventually hopes to add new specials and menu items. The Hawk's Nest will also serve lunch.
"I have a unique position, because I'm open during the day," he said. "At night it kind of transforms into a different place."
Owner Adam Graves, 31, purchased the Longbranch in October and began renovations at the end of December. Graves said the bar will have a new ceiling, stools, tables, coolers, televisions, lighting and flooring, but he will keep the old swinging doors.
"I just wanted to give it a facelift, some TLC," he said.
The new bar will have a UW-Whitewater theme, with purple decorations and an autographed Warhawk football helmet. Graves said his goal was to create a place people will look forward to visiting.
"I just want people to come out and have a good time," he said. "That's the point of going out ... going somewhere and having fun."
Graves' original goal was to open the Hawk's Nest on Feb. 1, but the large amount of work forced him to push the opening back.
"When you do a massive overhaul you run into things, and deadlines get pushed back," he said.
Although the bar will look different, Graves said he expects his new customers to be similar to the patrons of the Longbranch.
"I'm not really out to change a whole lot," he said. "We had a really good group of people that came in here. The thing I like best about this place is the people who come in here and the people who keep coming back."
The Hawk's Nest will keep most of the same staff who previously worked at the Longbranch and will continue to have raffles and specials. Graves said he eventually hopes to add new specials and menu items. The Hawk's Nest will also serve lunch.
"I have a unique position, because I'm open during the day," he said. "At night it kind of transforms into a different place."
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