The building housing Chillerz tavern isn’t very wide—maybe 20 some feet. Deep? Yes. But wide? No. Yet Gary and Elaine insisted that years ago there had been a bowling alley in the place. It was only one lane, said Gary and not in good shape. He and Elaine had helped their neighbors remove it.
Chillerz' Purple Door
Why, I asked, did your neighbors want a beat-up old bowling alley? At this point I recalled that in my old Sheboygan neighborhood there was a bowling alley in the haymow of an old barn on North 8th Street. The barn had been converted into a garage, but we neighborhood kids would try to bowl on that warped alley anyway. No one wanted to pick up the scattered pins, so the games never lasted very long. Maybe Gary and Elaine’s neighbors wanted the bowling lane for their kids in their garage? Nope. They wanted the wood to make countertops.
Nevertheless as I stood at the bar of Chillerz on that October 18th night, I couldn’t imagine enough room for a bowling lane, ball return and a pinsetter. But the present owners agreed with Gary—once there had been a lane in the place long before the tavern was Blondie’s. It was removed in the early ’70’s during the Blondie era.
But there was a more important event that distracted us from thoughts of bowling. It was Don’s birthday! He bought us a round of beer and a Coke for Gary the designated driver and we belted out a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Don. Chillerz had seven taps. Marv, Elaine, the Birthday Boy and I had a Leinekugel’s Summer Shandy. It was a pale beer with a slight lemon taste. Okay, but I probably won’t have that again. Judy chose a Miller.
Happy Birthday, Don!
Chillerz was previously housed on Ninth in what had been Novotny’s Split Level. After owners Jennifer and Don moved to Oregon Street and bought what had been Blondie’s on June 30, 2010, the former Chillerz became Mo’s and is now Diesel’s. Another sign we noticed of the quick change in tavern ownership in Oshkosh. Don and Jenni own another Chillerz in an old building in New London. Jenni is interested in the history of the places she owns and told us the Chillerz building on Oregon Street was built in 1918. (No one knew what became of it during Prohibition.)
Smiling Owner Jenni
The bar and back bars are made of old dark wood—nice moldings and mirrors hiding behind T-Shirts celebrating the Packers, Brewers and Badgers. We wondered if we had discovered another Brand Company bar. Jennifer invited us behind the bar to look for the Brand insignia as we told her the story of the Brand Company, which manufactured boats, furniture and cabinetry in Oshkosh until the late 1950s. There was no Brand Company insignia on the bar, but it sure looked as if it could be one.
But back to the Birthday Boy. He and Judy told us about their trip to New York City and that they had seen three plays: Memphis, Anything Goes and their favorite Wicked. And, Yes! They were on the Today Show and Judy got to say a few words to Ann Curry and give her a hug! Chillerz jukebox had Frank singing “New York, New York,” which, of course, Don played. We all joined in singing the New York part and danced too. Then another Don favorite, Lady Antebellum brought more singing. Judy’s birthday present to Don was tickets to see the play Lombardiat the Milwaukee Rep. Gee, they’re going to be all “played” out.
Make way for Elaine & Gary (Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Murray)
As I said earlier Chillerz is deep, but not wide. Walking toward the back room, we passed the usual pool table and a folded up poker table. Farther back there’s room and equipment for a small band or combo to perform. There were spotlights and a mirror ball as well as two dart machines. A small sign on the wall, read “Rehab is for Quitters.” Outside there is a spacious deck overlooking a volleyball court. I remember when Blondie’s put that up.
Jennifer and Don seem to know what makes a tavern successful. A big wheel at the west end of the back bar reads, “Try the Spin of the Day. Ask the Bartender.” We didn’t do that as we were there for just one beer. They have a website and you can be their friend on Facebook.
Most likely the 1918 building didn’t have indoor plumbing. The restrooms look as if they were added later. They jut out like small closets in the back room, men’s on the north side and women’s on the south wall. Nevertheless the men’s had enough wall space for posters promoting the Green Bay Gamblers hockey team and “Halloween Express,” and a “Creative Health Center.” By inserting three quarters, a guy could buy a “Glow in the Dark Cock Ring.” Two quarters purchased a “Tickle Their Fancy with Pleasure” kit; another four bits offered “Premium Latex Condoms”—four choices: “Ultra Thin, Studded, Ribbed, Assorted.”
The Ladies was equally small, very clean and featured a lovely mirror. The only drawback we noticed was the lack of a hook on the door. Oops. It also lacked anything to promote “Health.” Gender equity, anyone?
Chillerz Wheel of Fortune
Marv noticed a big “Card Game” punch board on the back bar. He told us that such boards were ruled illegal in Illinois a long time ago probably because many owners kept selling punches long after they knew all the “winners” had been punched out.
Chillerz sells sandwiches, but we had another place in mind for supper. So we left with Jennifer telling Don Happy Birthday one more time.
