Not too many businesses get handed down through three generations, and Wiebelhaus Recreation which has anchored a corner on Main Street in Crofton since 1946, is one of the few.
“Mom and dad opened this place in 1946, so we’re on our 79th year,” said Brian Wiebelhaus, who has run the business with his wife Debbie for the past 36 years. “We took over in ‘89 and Debbie and I started working here for mom and dad in 1977. So we have been here for 47 years and it is still going and Jill and Chance get the reins.”
This year, Brian and Debbie are stepping back and officially handing the keys over to their daughter, Jill and her husband Chance.
Wiebelhaus Recreation, purchased by Walter and Eva Wiebelhaus on April 17, 1946, became a hot spot in Crofton with a bar, bowling lanes, and restaurant style seating. When they started, the business was formerly the Potter Pool Hall and Morris Anderson Hardware. This building was torn down and rebuilt for Wiebelhaus Recreation and Centennial Lanes. Walt and Eva operated it for 44 years and it became affectionately known to locals as “Walts.”
“Our parents told us the right way to treat people and that is probably the biggest thing (we learned),” said Brian.
Walt was known over the years for handing out Tootsie Rolls to any kids that walked through the doors. Walt took pride in that and even before he was handing out Tootsie Rolls, he handed out pop and candy bars too. Starting in the 70’s all the way until Walt’s later years after he had retired, he made any kids’ day the moment they walked into Walt’s.
“He had a big heart,” said Brian.
In April of 1979, Brian and Debbie got their feet wet in the business and started working at Walts. On Nov. 1, 1989, they took over the family business and have made many changes since.
For example, they expanded the menu which now offers 50 menu items, including breakfast too. In 2011, Walts was remodeled to include a Nebraska theme among the restaurant. The bowling alley was also upgraded and at the time included automatic scoring, synthetic lanes, and pull up bumpers. As of 2023, the bowling alley at Walts was shut down and remodeled to be used as more seating for the restaurant and for special events.
“It was mostly a bar, we had very little food” in the early days, said Brian. “We had the Tombstone pizzas or maybe a Stuart sandwich. There were a lot of fights in our place years and years ago. You don’t see that anymore because the laws have changed. Growing up here,” he explained, “you see a lot. It has changed in the fact that we have more food and even though I mention the fights, it has always been a family place.”
As Jill and Chance take over Wiebelhaus Recreation, Brian and Debbie continue to stay around to help keep the business going.
“Our motto is ‘Food, Family, Fun, and Friends’ and we hope people will come here because of that,” stated Brian. “We withstood a lot of competition and we are still here,” expressed Brian. “Treat people right and it’s going to work for you.”