Brennan Seehafer invests in Manitowoc with two leisure venues
In seventh grade, Brennan Seehafer of Manitowoc started off a production business and brought a significant demonstrate to the city’s Capitol Civic Centre. He used hrs organizing, securing sponsors and providing plan adverts to offset the chance. The exhibit was a achievements.
“I always loved scheduling and administration in the tunes sector,” he claimed. “It was exciting to strategy and host events. And, I even now obtained my schoolwork carried out.”
He shaped Brennan Seehafer Productions in 2007, and ongoing to program shows following going to Nashville following graduation. While there, he was an apprentice for the Country Music Association and toured with Luke Bryan for a few several years. He also continued to increase his manufacturing business and produces and promotes 40 to 50 exhibits a year.
The 1 transform is his dwelling foundation is back in Manitowoc.
“I went to Nashville to practical experience new points, but I realized that there was a void in Manitowoc,” Seehafer mentioned. “There was no bar on the waterfront, and I thought that provided a one of a kind chance.”
In 2018, he resolved to go forward with his desire. He acquired land on the waterfront from Manitowoc Corporation and set out to verify that he could operate a prosperous bar. Due to the fact he was just beginning out, loan providers wanted to see some historical past just before presenting a loan. Seehafer was up to the problem.
Using delivery containers, he created a seasonal location named The Wharf that immediately grew to become regarded for absolutely free entertainment, a different beverage menu and superb aesthetics. With a substantial, outside patio, the bar turned a place all through the COVID-19 pandemic, simply because prospects felt more safe sitting outside. Results swiftly adopted, and he started to strategy for a thing more substantial.
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He had figures that proved his means as an owner, but still necessary a small business plan. For help with that, he took a business enterprise program class by the UW-Inexperienced Bay Little Organization Development Middle.
“That class was pivotal, and it is made available all all over Wisconsin,” Seehafer said. “If you finish your system, you actually get your money back. With the assistance of Dave Stauffacher and Tara Carr of SBDC, I experienced a good system to deliver to the lender.”
The most tough aspect of writing the system, he famous, was estimating the earnings that would occur from adding a food items menu. That was new for him, and he went by means of a calendar and seemed at just about every working day of the year to occur up with averages that further proved the power of the program.
All those efforts came to fruition when Seehafer secured a mortgage to construct a $1.8 million facility with a condition-of-the-artwork retractable roof procedure, huge move-via overhead doors for reasonable temperature situations, an celebration room with a individual bar spot and a food-truck type kitchen. There is a green house for lawn online games, and the patio can accommodate up to 900 men and women.
He describes it as “a exclusive entertainment encounter in Manitowoc, compared with any other. This venture remodeled a the moment unused room along the Manitowoc River into an all-season enjoyment location. Patrons love the informal, nautical-themed ambiance and outdoor patio with live enjoyment.”
The Wharf also gains from being following door to the S.S. Badger, the ferry that runs from Manitowoc to Ludington, Michigan.
But, as the small business has grown Seehafer recognized need for event room exceeded the capability to satisfy these requires. With his wife, Shilah, managing The Wharf, he established his sights on a third business — the conversion of a downtown warehouse into a location for internet hosting gatherings.
The Venue at Union Square, a 5,000-sq.-foot facility found about a person block from The Wharf, opened late in 2021 and characteristics a present day, industrial design that preserves the initial brick walls, substantial ceilings and uncovered beams.
Seehafer suggests it is a comprehensive-services event area for web hosting wedding day ceremonies, receptions, company activities, conventions, vacation parties and other gatherings. Wedding planning and coordination companies are made available. It has a capability of 300, and Seehafer is individually included in setting up.
“I do all of the scheduling and programming for the talent at The Wharf, Location at Union Square, and generation corporation,” he mentioned. “I really don’t maintain track of my hrs — I would loathe to know.”
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The Wharf is web hosting a lot more than 125 free of charge events and 10 ticketed gatherings this 12 months. Then, there are the substantial number of function bookings at the Venue and his gatherings with Seehafer Productions that have him traveling around the nation. As the organizations have developed, he workforce about 35 people at The Wharf, 12 at The Venue and a few with the creation business. He also takes advantage of impartial contractors.
“We are privileged that we are very well-staffed for the summer time and have not had any troubles,” Seehafer mentioned. “Part of it is the way we take care of our personnel — it is like a major family. We all cling out and get pleasure from each individual other’s organization.”
Satisfaction is a phrase that appears to be to outline all of Seehafer’s endeavors.
“I really like functioning with persons, and when I see the pleasure that an event brings, it feels terrific to have long gone with them by means of the system. And, with The Wharf, we have established a put exactly where folks can occur and loosen up from the stress of life and sense like they’re on trip,” he mentioned.
Tina Dettman-Bielefeldt is co-owner of DB Commercial Genuine Estate in Green Bay and previous district director for Rating, Wisconsin.