Wenzil Taylor Food and Brew’s basement bar and dining area still features a one-of-a-kind dining experience in booths lining portions of two parallel limestone tunnels. Josh Mason, the building’s new owner, said he has heard claims that those tunnels once ran underneath all of Spillville. (Photos by Zach Jensen)
By Zach Jensen,
Wenzil Taylor Food & Brew owners Josh and Ivett Mason are excited to open their new business in Spillville.
A piece of Winneshiek County history will soon reopen for business under new ownership and a new name.
Marion entrepreneur Josh Mason recently purchased 331 S. Main St., Spillville — previously the home of the Old World Inn and Speakeasy Inn — and the business will open its doors again in April as Wenzil Taylor Food & Brew. The establishment is to be named in honor of the 1871 building’s first owner, Wenzil Taylor, who opened it as a merchandise store. Mason said the building’s previous owner rented the seven upstairs apartments to college students, but the main floor and kitchen as well as the basement bar and restaurant hadn’t been touched in the last 10 years.
“Everything that has been collecting dust all that time actually works,” Mason said. “Everything fired up with no problem. Even the beer lines downstairs were clear. The building came with a lot of stuff — a lot of uncovered treasures.”
The building’s new owner won’t be living in Spillville, but Mason and his wife Ivett expect to be very involved in running the business.
“We’ve interviewed a lot of people, and we have a decent bit of help already lined up,” Mason said. “And, all the neighbors have been very helpful. Our next door neighbor and her kids have helped us clean and move stuff. We couldn’t have done this without all the help we’ve received from the people in the community.”
Mason said the restaurant will feature what we calls “high-end pub food,” including pizzas, smoked chicken wings, pub nachos, burgers, sandwiches, ribs, homemade desserts and more.
“The Wenzil Taylor Smash Burger is a classic smash burger with melted American cheese, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, onion and pickles on a toasted bun,” Mason said, calling it the ultimate flavor combination. “We’re trying to make it a place that’s fun for the locals but also bring in people from Decorah and all the other little towns and tourists. We’ll also be catering to some of the bus tours that come through the area.”
The Wenzil Taylor’s main floor dining room will primarily be available for event rentals and will be open to patrons who may be unable to walk downstairs to the pub and restaurant.
The lower-level space still features two parallel limestone tunnels lined with softly lit booths. Mason said, during the town’s annual July 4 celebration and music fest, both the ground floor dining room and basement bar might be opened simultaneously to accommodate guests. Meanwhile the second-floor apartments are to be available as short-term rentals.
“It’s just such an amazing venue,” Mason said, noting his excitement for the endeavor. “It’s so unique. This is not something you’re going to see anywhere else — with an old hotel lobby on the main floor and limestone tunnels in the basement.”
Mason currently owns a professional cleaning business in Marion, where he also owns rental properties. He also owns a bluff home in Lansing, and he indicated he had a special interest in establishing another business in Winneshiek County.
“I’ve been in business for maybe 17 years,” he said. “As a retirement business, I was going to start a vacation rental business. So, the plan is that eventually, I’ll phase out of my other business and come up here, because I love trout fishing and hiking. My whole family loves this area. It’s beautiful. That’s kind of why I got this place — to do something fun, unique and cool.”
Mason said he’s excited about his new business venture, and he’s looking forward to being part of the Spillville community.
“I love the town and the people here,” he said. “Everybody wants to see this place, so I’ve been a tour guide, which is pretty fun. I’m looking forward to owning a successful business but also eventually just getting to know everyone. People here are real neighborly, and you don’t get that everywhere.”
Upon opening, Wenzil Taylor Food & Brew will be open from 4-10 p.m. Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and from noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, visit wenziltaylor.com.
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