By Molly Moser
For the first time in six years, the Millville area can call itself home to a bar and grill. Bootleggers opened to the public on Friday, April 3, and will be open on weekends until May, when owners hope to serve the hungry and thirsty seven days a week.
“We had a great first weekend,” said co-owner Kris Lewis of Garnavillo. “We were overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm.” Kris and her partner Rod Schlitter, also of Garnavillo, along with long-time friends Mike and Brenda Landwehr of Milwaukee, Wis., have spent every weekend of the last six months renovating the restaurant and planning for its opening.
After closing on the property last October, the four owners were given a barn in Maynard. They worked together to disassemble the 30 x 60 foot structure, salvaging the barn board for the outside of their new building and keeping the antique corrugated tin roofing to line the bar.
“We all complement each other and that’s why it makes a good partnership,” Brenda told The Press. Rod transformed the bar with the corrugated roofing and planed rough-cut pine for the building interior. Mike is in charge of finances and is familiar with the bar’s point-of-sale system. Brenda and Kris are best friends and will work together behind the bar.