Stone Cellar Brewpub: Announces new banquet hall operation, partnership with Riverview Gardens

Contact: Lori Van Handel, Willems Marketing at 920-831-6580 ext. 5020; lori@willemsmarketing.com

APPLETON, WIS. (Sept. 9, 2013) – The owners of Stone Cellar Brewpub announced today a new, full-service banquet hall business venture in partnership with Riverview Gardens on Appleton’s south side at 1101 S. Oneida Street. Aptly named Stone Cellar at Riverview Gardens, the new enterprise has begun operations, specializing in weddings, special events and currently booking holiday parties.

Father-and-son partners Tom and Steve Lonsway said the new facility complements their highly successful Stone Cellar Brewpub restaurant and brewery, located in close proximity to Riverview Gardens, in the nearby Between-the-Locks building at 1004 S. Olde Oneida St.

The facility features a banquet room, large bar room, outdoor patio and an area for a bridal lounge, as well as perfect outdoor ceremony spaces. Capacity for the operation is 200 in the dining hall and 80 in the bar area. “This space enables us to serve much larger groups than we can handle at Stone Cellar Brewpub, while giving us the opportunity to expand our business into the banquet hall-wedding arena,” Tom Lonsway said.

Additionally, the new venture will contribute to the ongoing success of Riverview Gardens, a financially self-sustaining jobs training program for people in need, using urban farming and a park setting near downtown Appleton. Through the partnership, the Lonsways will use fresh produce grown at Riverview Gardens in their menu selections – a continuation of Stone Cellar Brewpub’s current relationship with Riverview Gardens as part of the restaurant’s fresh-food menu choices prepared with homegrown and organic products from local suppliers.

The father-son duo will also contribute a percentage of banquet food sales to Riverview Gardens, as well as utilize Riverview Gardens’ staff members to help with event set-up, takedown and cleanup. This philosophy aligns well with the Riverview Gardens job training program and its mission.

“We’re excited about this collaborative effort,” said Cindy Sahotsky, Riverview Gardens executive director. “Teaming together allows us to expand our job skills training program, as well as provide fresh, locally grown food from our gardens to a well-established restaurant.” The father-and-son team agrees. “This partnership gives us the opportunity to steadily make a difference in the community we call home, as well as strengthen our ties to an organization that shares our principles of producing and buying local, organic and sustainable fresh foods for better health and job creation for a stronger community,” Steve Lonsway said.

The new banquet hall venture is part of a series of strategically planned efforts that have contributed to the Lonsways business success over the last nine years. Key milestones include a main floor expansion of the Stone Cellar brewing area in 2012 and the launch of their packaged beers under the Stone Arch label, which have claimed an increasing market share at grocery and liquor stores throughout the region.

A new event manager has been hired to oversee the operation and approximately 20 new employees will be hired to staff the facility. Customers who book the hall for a special occasion will be able to customize services from basic to fine dining to truly create an experience that is uniquely their own by calling (920)-997-3332.

“With the success of our restaurant and brewery, this addition allows us the chance to serve larger groups and events,” Steve Lonsway said. “We are also considering opening one night a week to the general public because this facility and the view is just outstanding.”

To celebrate this new venture, Stone Cellar at Riverview Gardens will host a public Oktoberfest/Grand Opening gala event on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6-9 pm to showcase the facility and operations. A full German-themed buffet, featuring 10 different craft and import Oktoberfest beers will be available at a cost of $15 per person. To make a reservation to attend the event, call 997-3332.

Stone Cellar Brewpub is the oldest operating brewpub in Wisconsin, having started in 1989 as the Appleton Brewing Company. Since 2004, father-and-son partners Tom and Steve Lonsway have been offering the Fox Valley hand-crafted fresh and natural beer and quality cuisine at Stone Cellar Brewpub. Located in the historic Between-the-Locks building, Stone Cellar Brewpub features a restaurant, pub, brewery and beer garden. The brewpub has become well-known for its award-winning beers, beer dinners and especially their beer vs. wine five-course gourmet dinners. For more information, visit www.stonecellarbrewpub.com.

Riverview Gardens is a socially innovative, self-supporting venture that engages Fox Valley residents in community stewardship of a market garden enterprise, community park space, and job training program while enhancing the missions of local outreach organizations and building financial resources to help address root causes of poverty, homelessness, and unemployment. For more information, visit www.riverviewgardens.org.