Ventura restaurant re-opens

Kotz opens door to The Colony Inn today

Lois Kotz says her hometown of Ventura has been very good to her.  Now, she’s hoping she can be good to Ventura.

Kotz will open The Colony Inn for business today (Wednesday, Jan. 28).

“The town has been without a restaurant open for lunch for a while now, so I’m hoping we can fill that void, along with supper.  We’ll have homemade chili and a soup of the day, along with favorite recipes-- all homemade,” she said.  

Re-opening the longtime business has been a challenging job, but Kotz says she has received great help from building owner and former operator Pat Kuhlmeier.  Her own family has also been instrumental in everything from cleaning to decorating, hiring and menu planning.

Lois and her family bring a wealth of experience to the business.  The Kotz family name was tied to The Barrel Drive-In for many years.  The Kotz’s bought the Highway 18 business in 1959, just one year after it was built.  Eventually Lois’ son, Ed, purchased the business from his parents.  He operated it for many years before selling.  He later opened a restaurant on South Shore Drive known as Tinker’s Reef.  Lois can often be found there helping each summer season.

But now she is ready to embark on a new adventure.  The former Clear Lake mayor says she is excited to open the doors and welcome not only her friends and neighbors, but guests from throughout the area.  

“We’ve made some changes in an effort to make this more of a restaurant with a bar than a restaurant and a bar,” she said.    Gambling machines have been removed and beer advertisements and posters have been taken down and replaced with wildlife artwork.  The lunch and dinner menus proudly promote Ventura’s claim to be a “sportsman’s paradise.”

The former bar area remains casual, but has tables with linens for those who want to dine there.  A full bar remains available.  The other side of the building features tables with linens and a slightly more serene setting, with a party room located in the back.  The party room, as well as upstair party space, is not quite ready for use, Kotz said.

The food will also reflect the good cooking the Kotz’s are known for.  “Our Ruby’s special sauce and other favorite recipes will be here,” said Lois.  In addition to favorite recipes of her own,  the Ventura Centennial Cookbook has also been a resource for ideas.

Lois said she is grateful for not only the help of her son Ed and his wife, Candy, but of her granddaughter, Amy Pralle, who is “second in command” to her grandmother.  Amy has restaurant and bartending experience and has jumped right into the business.  “I couldn’t have done this without my family and the support of the staff. Pat Kuhlmeier was also really helpful with all the paperwork that needed to be done and she will help us the first few nights.  Everyone has been working so hard to get us ready.”

The cooking staff includes Sue Ausborn and Julie Pueggel days, along with Mitchel Zirbel in the evenings.  Additional staff are still being added.

The Colony Inn, 104 N. Weimer St., Ventura, is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 5-9 p.m. for supper.