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A legend lives on: Iconic White Springs Supper Club reopens

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Iconic White Springs Supper Club reopened to the public for the first time in 15 years in June. Giving the McGregor restaurant a new lease on life is Jennifer Yager—great granddaughter of White Springs’ long-time owner Ethel Mann—and her husband Robert (right). The couple is joined in the venture by their friends, Brandon and Emily Schaefer. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

Iconic White Springs Supper Club reopened to the public for the first time in 15 years in June. Giving the McGregor restaurant a new lease on life is Jennifer Yager—great granddaughter of White Springs’ long-time owner Ethel Mann—and her husband Robert. The couple is joined in the venture by their friends, Brandon and Emily Schaefer.

Now two months in, they’re all still trying to catch their breath.

“We thought it would be busy,” confided Robert, “but we didn’t expect this support.”

White Springs has been packed most nights, even during the week, as people clamor for the nostalgic atmosphere and food that attracted crowds for over 50 years.

A tip, said Brandon: “Get here early.”

The menu includes many of the supper club’s traditional recipes, passed down to Jennifer from her grandmother, Doris Barrette, who is Ethel’s daughter.

“The barbecue sauce for the ribs is to a ‘T.’ They’re hickory-smoked the old way,” Robert said. “We go through seven cases per week.”

“And the bones are picked clean,” Emily quipped.

 Other favorites are the coleslaw and potato salad, fish, chicken and onion rings.

“We do 300 or 400 pounds of onion rings in one week,” Robert added. “They’re all fresh cut.”

The White Springs menu also features shrimp, beef tenderloin, ribeye, prime rib and a variety of burgers, sandwiches and salads. Among the appetizers are locally-sourced cheese curds, bacon boomers (tater tots with a fresh jalapeño wrapped in bacon) and Ethel’s classic relish tray.

White Springs has a full bar, and offers four specialty cocktails, the Golden Cadillac, Grasshopper, Pink Squirrel and Old Fashioned.

“We want things as local and as fresh as possible,” Robert said. “We wanted to keep it simple and stay close to the same.”

“But we also have our twist on it,” Jennifer noted.

The success means a lot to the couples, who spent months rehabbing the White Springs site on Klein Brewery Road. They cleared debris from not just the building, but the cave area behind it that once cooled beer. They’ve also done extensive cleaning, improved heating/cooling systems, plumbing and handicap accessibility, and brought the site up to code. The 100-year-old building received cosmetic upgrades both inside and out, and there are plans to continue renovating the upstairs. 

The original bar was re-mounted, and now lovingly displays historic White Springs photos.

Keeping the supper club’s well-known history and atmosphere alive is important to the Yagers and Schaefers. Robert encourages patrons to share stories and memories.

“One day, an older couple in their 70s stopped in and talked with us,” he said. “We want to get those stories, to bring White Springs back to what it was.”

Back in the day, said Brandon, it wasn’t uncommon to see a businessman sitting next to a farmer. 

“They accepted all kinds,” he shared, and that hasn’t changed. “Everyone is welcome here.”

While she’s working, Emily said she can often hear people roaring with laughter.

“You can tell they’re having a good time,” she stated. 

The couples were adamant they couldn’t do it alone, crediting their families and staff members for the support.

“It’s been crazy—a learning curve,” said Jennifer, “but we’re working out a flow.”

“It’s a team,” Robert said. “And at the end of the day, if the customers are happy, we’re happy.”

The White Springs bar opens at 2 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Dinner hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. A limited take out menu is available from 2 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday.

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