A downtown Kewaunee tradition. The past 100 years has lots of great memories, traditions and celebrations. Some highlights of its history:
- Carl and Bessie Lufter owned the property at 311 Harrison Street and successfully ran Lufter’s Lunch during three different periods. The first, starting before 1920. When Bessie and Carl started their family, the property was sold and Carl went to work for Kiewig Peter’s Department Store. In 1938, when their son went off to college at UW-Madison, the Lufters took over the property again. In 1949, they purchased the property for a third time, from Ward and Viola DeFaut, on June 29th. Every time, it was known as “Lufter’s Lunch” and they served breakfast, burgers, sandwiches and ice cream treats. Bessie made a fantastic chili. It evolved from an eatery and ice cream shop into a bar type atmosphere as the years went on.
- Many local residents referred to as the ‘pinochle palace’, where a few hands of pinochle may have been played into the night, a favorite card game going back to German immigrants.
- From 1952 to 1956 Carl and Verna Stordeur were the owners and called it The Snack Bar. During these days, it was a beer bar. A bar on one side of the room, serving bottled beer (coolers for tap beer had not yet been installed). A soda fountain on the other side serving sodas, malts and sundaes. Great burgers and chili were also available. Many happy times were had, and the volunteer firefighters enjoyed stopping in after they returned to the station.
- In 1957 Myron and Marilyn Mueller took over the newly named M & M and served Kewaunee until 1963.
- From 1963 to 1972 Albert and Iona Muchowski were the owners.
- In January 1972, the Muchoskis sold the property to John “Jack” Konop who named it Jack’s Bucket. He served Kewaunee drinks for nearly twenty years until 1990.
- 1990 Greg Vanness owned and ran the bar.
- 1991-1992 it was purchased and managed by Vern Veeser, Jim ‘Kitty’ Kitzinger and Randy Schleis.
- 1992 Randy Schlies took over ownership and spent 27 years behind the bar of Randy and Sally’s Bucket until 2019.
- January 2019 Ken Kuehl purchased the property to continue the history and tradition of The Bucket.
- November 2020 Jill Pansier bought and operated the The Bucket.
- April 2022 Josh Kickbusch became the owner of The Bucket.
Thanks to:
Mary McKinley (granddaughter of Carl & Bessie Lufter),
Mary Alyce Langer (daughter of Carl & Verna Stordeur),
and many others who enjoyed spending time here for providing history and details.