VAN DYNE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A staple on the western shore of Lake Winnebago is closing.
The Wendt’s on the Lake restaurant will close Nov. 21, Shawn Wendt announced in a news release Friday. Wendt’s Marina will remain open.
Wendt says he and his wife have been negotiating with his sister and her husband to buy the property, but those negotiations have been unsuccessful.
“We have had to make the hard decision because there is so much deferred maintenance and repair that needs to be updated to the property,” Wendt said. “We wanted everyone to know that we gave it our all.”
Wendt’s on the Lake is a destination during the sturgeon spearing season in February on Lake Winnebago. It is not unusual to see speared sturgeon hanging on hooks outside the restaurant while successful spearers celebrate inside.
“Everyone in our community will be impacted by the closing: the West Shore Fishing Club, Sturgeon For Tomorrow, Water & Wings Youth Foundation, Lake Watchers, Van Dyne Lions Club, Van Dyne Fire Department and many more organizations,” Wendt wrote.
Full news release
With a heavy heart, I am announcing that after many years of family operation, Wendt’s on the Lake restaurant will be closing its doors as of November 21, 2026.
My wife and I have attempted to purchase the location from my sister Ann (Wendt) Cross and her husband Todd Cross. Unfortunately, we have been unable to come to terms and more recently they are refusing to sell to us, attempting only to sell it to my boys, Zack, Sawyer and Kali at an unworkable price. They continue to use timing and changing prices to frustrate any realistic transaction.
The history speaks for itself. Through legal counsel, we had provided to them in April 2025 a signed purchase agreement at a price Ann and Todd had agreed to. After agreeing, they then refused to sign, claiming they would sign in January 1, 2026. In mid-January, with still no signatures, my attorney reached out and they said the purchase is off the table. We had to move forward with an overpriced lease to keep the restaurant open through 2026. In April 2026, Ann (Wendt) Cross and Todd Cross sat down with my boys and Kali and stated they would sell the restaurant to my boys and Kali but not me. They got the funding from the bank, but heard nothing back from Ann and Todd.
We again in August 2026 sent them a signed proposal, and the games only continued with asserting a higher price than the year before, and going behind our back and trying to talk directly to my boys and Kali about purchasing. They have attempted to push the closing dates back to give us no time to prepare should they continue to delay in signing.
We have had to make the hard decision because there is so much deferred maintenance and repair that needs to be updated to the property. We wanted everyone to know that we gave it our all. We loved being here every day and night and seeing all the wonderful staff/people/customers who also love Wendt’s just as much. But our hands are tied. Ann and Todd are forcing the closing of Wendt’s On The Lake after 64 years of business.
Everyone in our community will be impacted by the closing: the West Shore Fishing Club, Sturgeon For Tomorrow, Water & Wings Youth Foundation, Lake Watchers, Van Dyne Lions Club, Van Dyne Fire Department and many more organizations.
Thank you to all of our loyal customers.
Wendt’s Marina continues to be open and serve their customers. Only Wendt’s On The Lake Restaurant is closing.
