A FAMILY EFFORT. The Fish family continues to put their hearts into bringing Dave’s Drive-In to life. (Photo by Parker Reed)
Starting a business from scratch is hard enough as it is, but taking on the revival of a beloved, long-closed business adds its own complications. The Fish family knew this when they first set out to revitalize the former Mary Ann’s Root Beer Stand in Chippewa Falls, and it’s been quite a journey since starting the project in early 2022.
Owner Anneliese Fish, her husband Bob, and their children have spent the past year breathing new life into the building at 12 E Elm St., which they call Dave’s Drive-In. (The name was inspired by Anneliese’s father, Dave, who served at St. Joseph’s Hospital for more than 30 years and was a pillar of the Chippewa Falls community.)
The Fish family naturally expected that there would be obstacles in the way, but the fact of the building’s structural integrity came with heartbreak. On Dec. 1, Dave’s Drive-In social media account shared a video with photos of the root beer stand for decades with Anneliese delivering the news that they had to start from scratch: The building had to come down.
“It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that the stand must come down. … Of all the unexpected obstacles we have encountered thus far, this news is the most devastating.” – Anneliese Isda
“It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that the stand must come down. After a year and a half of working to save the building, we thought it would be in everyone’s best interest to start anew,” Anneliese began. “Of all the unexpected obstacles we’ve encountered so far, this news is the most devastating.”
For months, the family’s plan was to lift the original building with a crane and place it in an adjacent spot on the property so the foundation could be excavated and poured again. The sewage, gas, and water lines had to be replaced, and they wanted to do it before the stand was put back on the new foundation.
However, after months of property preparation – including platting and rezoning the property from commercial to residential, getting a local architect to change their plans to be ADA compliant, complying with state regulations, obtaining permits, and completing some demolition work – the family found that the metal frame, which had stood for 100 years, could not be saved. “The perimeter of the building is like dust,” Anneliese said. “You can barely touch it with your foot and it crumbles.”
Norman Kaste, former owner of the old A&W stand that stood at the corner of Bridge and River Streets, pictured at the stand in 1941. (Contributed by Chippewa Area History Center)
After this realization, the contractors advised the Isda family how to move forward, telling them that there was no guarantee that the plans would not have to change even though they had tried to spend a great deal of time and money saving the original structure.
“Our main concern is to maintain the integrity of the building. The history and longevity of the building has led us to preserve it for anyone who may have memories attached to it,” explained Anneliese. “We liked the idea of owning something that’s been a part of this community for so long.”
Of all the bumps along the way, none was more devastating than realizing they had to tear down the building and start over, Anneliese said.
During the last few weeks, new blueprints have been drawn keeping in view the new realities and requirements of the project. The Fish family is working on making a signature root beer; tap the local businesses they partner with to source products like cheese curds, meat, and more; and meeting with local printing companies, accountants, lawyers, marketing specialists, and others.
“There are many learning curves, both positive and negative. But that’s all, we chase our dreams, we have a vision and a plan. Plain and simple, we are not ready to give up.” – Anneliese Isda
Along the way, the family discovers old menus and some of the old equipment, which influences what their final menu will be. While you’ll have to wait until closer to the restaurant’s opening to hear the details, Anneliese shared that her roots run deep in the South, especially from a culinary perspective. (“Southern flair,” anyone?)
While they aren’t sharing an expected opening date right now, there is a timeline that they are working on, and Dave’s Drive-In will revive
In the Dec. 1 video, the Isda family asked people to share memories of the original business in its heyday. They received many funny, heartwarming memories, including first dates and first kisses, break ups, first jobs, even first cigarettes, all tied to the root beer stand. They even heard stories about former owners “Nickel Nose” and (of course) Mary Ann Smith.
One of the most memorable stories comes from the 1950s and 1960s, when teenagers would sit on top of a high retaining wall next to a house opposite the stand. In typical teen fashion, they continued to sit on the wall despite being told not to. As a result, the homeowner painted the top of the wall with tar, and when the children returned, they quickly discovered that their pants and skirts were covered in sticky tar. “We imagine him watching from his window, getting the last laugh,” shared Anneliese.
Contributed by the Chippewa Area History Center
“We know it’s an uphill battle. It’s a building that’s been vacant for most of my life,” Anneliese said. “There are many learning curves, both positive and negative. But that’s it: We chase our dreams, we have a vision and a plan. Plain and simple, we are not ready to give up. Our children are watching us, the community is watching us, and we are determined to succeed in everyone’s interest.
Please continue to share your memories, encouragement, and support with the Fish family and what will become of Dave’s Drive-In. This is the Chippewa Valley, after all: With some love, sweat, and tears, small-town dreams can become reality, creating memories that span generations.
For future updates from the Fish family, follow Dave’s Drive-In on Facebook and Instagram.
