The legacy of Butch’s Bar will live on in Sturgeon Bay at a location three blocks from the original site. Destroyed by a fire in February, Butch’s Bar will now take up business at the Nautical Inn building on Kentucky Street. The new establishment will be called Butch’s Bar II and again be operated by Clarence Cumber, Jr. and his son David. Great Lakes Business Group broker Tom Alberts told Door County Daily News that the original schedule was to close the sale this week, but due to title issues, the closing will be delayed until the middle of next week.
The vacant site of the old Butch’s Bar on the corner of South Third Avenue and Nebraska Street is currently listed real estate. According to Alberts, the City of Sturgeon Bay and the library have expressed interest in the location.
The liquor license transfer to Butch’s Bar II was approved by the City of Sturgeon Bay on Tuesday, pending the correction of violations found during an inspection at the Nautical Inn by the Sturgeon Bay Fire Department recently.
The early morning fire at Butch’s Bar on February 22 displaced nine tenants and caused two deaths. Anthony Gonzales is facing eight charges, including second-degree reckless homicide, for starting the fire at Butch's Bar that killed the two people. His next court appearance will be July 14 for a status conference.
