The Buzz: Fall preview of coming attractions, construction projects and closures – Post-Crescent

The Fox Cities fall lineup of new retail and restaurant businesses is noticeably leaner this year as some projects have been put on hold during the pandemic.

The uncertainty, however, hasnt stopped a handful of local and national companies from forging ahead with their plans.

Construction has also started on a few ventures that will debut in 2021.

At the same time, several businesses are calling it quits.

Acoca Coffeesfall opening will be both a reopening and an expansion. The locally owned coffee shop is immediately north of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center on College Avenue in downtown Appleton. Its remodeling its original space and expanding next door. An exact opening date has not been announced yet.

Aldiis estimated to open the doors of its newest Appleton location around late October or early November. The new grocery store is on Richmond Street south of the roundabout at Northland Avenue.

Appleton Axeis the new entertainment venue under construction at 1400 W. College Ave. in Appleton, the former Barstools Direct space. Were marching ahead despite all the uncertainty, said Pat Van Abel, partner in the venture with Joe Van Abel and Tim Bruecker. We want to open mid to late October. The business has eight lanes where people throw axes at bullseyes and drink beer. The partners also own Green Bay Axe. Its lanes are frequently rented for birthday parties, bachelor or bachelorette parties, corporate team-building gatherings and leagues.

Bare Bones Brewerys tap room is slated to go into 226 Main St., part of the former Wreath Factory space, in downtown Menasha. Co-owner Dan Dringoli said his contractor is waiting for state-approved plans, and work should get underway in the next few weeks. He aims for a Nov. 1 soft opening. Future plans include adding food service and a separately owned distillery.

Burlingtonreopened its off-price clothing store Friday. It had been shut down since spring because of flood damage caused by a broken sprinkler line. The store is at 697 N. Westhill Boulevard in Grand Chute.

Jersey Mikes Subsis a local franchise of the national sub shop chain. Its opening day is currently slated for Sept. 30 at 149 N. Mall Drive, on the south side of the Fox River Mall in Grand Chute. It took half of the former World of Beer space.

Pizza Ranchplans to open its second Fox Cities location in October and is hiring now. The new location is on Integrity Way in Grand Chute, across the street from Costco. Its a locally owned franchise of a national brand. See its Facebook page, facebook.com/PizzaRanchAppletonWest, for hiring information.

A new banquet/convert venue is under construction now at RiverHeath on Appleton's riverfront. The building in the background of the rendering is RiverHeath's Willow mixed-use building.(Photo: Submitted)

RiverHeaths latest project, underway now, is a $5 million concert/event venue located between the recently completed Willow mixed-use building and the Courtyard by Marriott hotel. The illustration above looks south, with Willow in the background and Fox River to the right. The building will be ready by next summer.

Our goal with the event space is to bring a wide range of music, community and artistic events to the Fox Valley. We plan to host concerts, weddings, business meetings, yoga retreats and town halls along the riverfront, said Mark Geall, principal of Tansesay Development, the developer of the property. Reservations are being taken for events starting next summer. Contact information can be found at Riverheath.com.

The vacant The Source Public Houserestaurant building in Menasha could have new life shortly. The buildings ownership group is currently negotiating with two interested parties. We have been working on interior demolition and reconstruction of the bar, walls, etc., said building co-owner Bob Rossi. With the work yet to be done, we anticipate opening the restaurant January to February 2021.

This OfficeMax on Appleton's east side and the Office Depot on College Avenue will both close in November.(Photo: USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Office Depotat 2700 W. College Ave. and OfficeMaxat 2401 S. Kensington Dr. in Appleton will close in November. An OfficeMax at 4683 W. College Ave. remains open. The stores are owned by ODP Corp., which said in SEC filings in May that it planned to layoff 13,100 workers and close an unspecified number of stores by 2023.

More: UPDATED The Buzz: Office Depot and one OfficeMax to close in Appleton

Town Council Kitchen & Barannounced lastweek is has closed indefinitely. The restaurant had an employee test positive for the coronavirus. Chef/owner Jon Horan said the uncertainty of the pandemic and unavoidable temporary closures make it tough for small businesses to keep going and maintain a staff.

More: The Buzz: Town Council Kitchen & Bar closes indefinitely in Neenah

Pier 1 Importswraps up its going-out-of-business sale this week at 4717 W. Michaels Drive in Grand Chute. The company filed for bankruptcy in February and liquidated all of its stores. It had been in the Fox Cities for 47 years, starting with its first shop in downtown Appleton.

Pier 1 Imports wraps up its going out of business sale in the next few days in Grand Chute.(Photo: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Contact reporter Maureen Wallenfang at 920-993-7116 or mwallenfang@postcrescent.com. Followher on Twitter at@wallenfang.

More: The Buzz: Restaurants worry about winter

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The Buzz: Fall preview of coming attractions, construction projects and closures - Post-Crescent