Farm Stand embraces everything Wisconsin

Farm Stand strives to keep it local

New shop offers craft beers, confections, deli sandwiches

by Mike Ramczyk CORRESPONDENT

Dan and Bobbi Robers’ son suffers from seizures.

Thanks to top-notch care at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, his neurologist gave him CBD, which, Bobbi said, works really well.

That success, along with the fact both of the Burlington residents retired in 2018, helped sparked the idea of opening a business.

Not Your Grandma’s Pantry became the couple’s first business venture in the spring of 2019, and the store, which is located inside the Chestnut Street strip mall adjacent to Reineman’s Hardware, is an organic, local, “farmstand-style” venue that just had its reopening last weekend.

“We included all the best of the Wisconsin favorites we found in our travels,” said Bobbi, who is from Minneapolis and moved to Burlington at age 5. “We spent about a year traveling around doing the retirement thing and got bored.”

The business was up and running by October 2019, complete with a new kitchen area and overall renovation.

By the end of December, Bobbi said, business was so good they considered opening a second location in Lake Geneva.

Capitalizing on busy Lake Geneva scene

Both lovers of craft beer, the Robers weren’t able to secure a retail liquor license in Burlington.

The opportunity arose to lease a store site in the Fancy Fair Mall, located in the heart of bustling downtown Lake Geneva on Highway 50.

“The opportunity for a lease store site came to our attention in Lake Geneva, and it was a fantastic deal so we thought we would expand,” Bobbi said. “It was perhaps a little sooner than we wanted but when opportunity knocks … we decided to get the seller/servers beer license allowing us to sell and serve craft beers, hard ciders and seltzers made by brewers from all over the state of Wisconsin.”

“You try a flight of four craft beers on tap, have a pint to sip in the store or in the mall while shopping, take a growler (jug) of one of our tap beers, and grab a six-pack to go. We also offer a pick-6 where you can mix-n-match a six-pack of beer, cider or seltzer.”

The Farm Stand opened Memorial Day weekend, and Sunday saw a rush of young and old customers, just minutes before closing at 5 p.m.

People were encouraged to taste test a Cherry IPA, along with several ales from the Door County area.

The local success of breweries in East Troy, Elkhorn, Lake Geneva and Burlington seems evident, and the Farm Stand could be the next in line.

Much more than craft beer

But it goes well beyond a brewery.

With confections such as Door County honey, jellies, jams, varieties of popcorn, taffy and caramels, fudge, s’mores, along with more state favorites like cheese curds, Illinois visitors and locals are treated to something they can’t buy anywhere.

There are also Bavarian soft pretzels with four kinds of dip to choose from, brats and hot dogs.

Bobbi said they didn’t bring the restaurant idea over from the pantry, because of the amount of time devoted to operating the kitchen.

They are happy to be open, and they encourage curious customers to stop in and sample their four weekly, changing tap beers, which are all brewed in Wisconsin.

Even though they just opened this summer, the Robers said she can already see the Farm Stand expanding.

Customers browse the selection of craft beers, confections and other specialties from Wisconsin at the recently opened Farm Stand in Lake Geneva’s Fancy Fair Mall.

Pizza truck gets a lift during tough times

by Tracy Ouellette STAFF WRITER

With large events being canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, one area food truck business has seen an outpouring of local support to keep it going.

Trampers Oak Fire Oven owners Nichole and Chris Scharpf say their Lake Genevabased food truck is sticking closer to home this year.

“Most of our season has been canceled,” Nicole Scharpf said. “However, the local scene has been exploding with compassion and community-based love.

“It may be a blessing in disguise with all of the local love coming our way. We do not generally stay local. This season may be the start of new chapter for Trampers. We love our community, and can’t wait to show them our appreciation.”

Faced with an open schedule as more events canceled, the Scharpfs needed to shift gears.

“We predominantly work with large events, where the draw for libations and live music are the main focus,” Nicole said. “We offer wood-fire pizzas for the whole family, from classic styles to more artisan. Our pies are personal size, so a group can order many and try all the flavors we have to offer. We cater to street festivals, beer gardens, pop-up events, and private parties.”

Without access to these types of venues, the Scharpfs began considering local options and smaller events, which has led to a partnership with The Landing 1841 in Burlington to participate in their Friday night Drinks and Wood Fired Pizza in the Vineyard events.

“Our good friend Adam Rabe, has worked with The Landing helping them with their grape vineyard. Adam was the one whom made the connection for us,” Nicole said.

Trampers Oak Fire Oven will be at The Landing 1841, 3640 Bieneman Road, Burlington, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Fridays, Aug. 6 and 20, Sept. 3 and 17, and Oct. 1 and 15.

Trampers Oak Fire Oven owners Chris and Nicole Scharpf set up their food truck to an event last year. They will be at The Landing, 3640 Bieneman Road in Burlington, for Drinks and Wood Fired Pizza in the Vineyard on select Fridays until Oct. 1.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Spirit of Geneva Lakes

A bit of history

The Scharpfs came up with the dream of Trampers while traveling in New Zealand.

“On our three-month journey we spent many nights at different campgrounds in our tiny camper-van named the “Bodhi.” It was in South Island, a small town just south of Reefton at the Slab Hut Creek site, where we came across an old steampunked brick oven and immediately fell in love,” the Scharpfs state on their webpage.

Shortly after they participated in a work exchange with a couple in Kurow who owned a small bed and breakfast and vineyard.

Nicole said they were taught how to make breads, pies and a “handed-down pizza crust.” The couple learned how to make pizzas in a brick oven during the work exchange and when they returned to the United State, Chris built a brick oven/grill in their back yard.

With the help of friend Robyn Smith, owner of Gypsy Soul Food Truck, and another couple who formerly owned the Minglewood Pizza trailer, the Scharpfs launched Trampers Oak Fire Oven LLC. in 2018.

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Just Live is committed to safeguarding our wonderful attendees, musical artists, volunteer core, and the township in which we hold the physical Labor of Love Music Festival every year. Considering the current pandemic surrounding COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s physical festival.

However, we are excited to announce that Just Live will be hosting the 11th annual Labor of Love Music Festival virtually this year on Sunday, September 6th from noon to 6PM so that our dedicated supporters won’t miss out on this year’s amazing music artists. Please stay tuned to our social media for updates and don’t forget to subscribe to our email list at justliveinc.org.

We would like to extend a special thank you to: our countless volunteers who keep the festival running seamlessly ; to this year’s tremendous bands: Them Coulee Boys, Good Morning Bedlam, Jenna & Martin, and the Georgia Rae Family Band who have shown incredible support in light of these difficult times; to the town of New Munster, Wheatland Township who hosts us each and every year; to our wonderful festival entertainers; to the amazing network of organizations that Just Live supports annually: Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation, Center for Suicide Awareness/HOPELINE, Marquette University College of Health Sciences, Project P.R.E.D.I.C.T., Catholic Charities, Carthage College Health and Counseling Center, Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin, and Professional Services Group; to our dedicated sponsors, and to the countless individuals to whom Just Live has offered mental health care support.

We hope you all will tune in and join us for this year’s virtual Labor of Love Music Festival and help us continue to support the programs and resources so vital to our community. Please consider supporting these programs by making a donation at justliveinc.org.

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