Waterfront tavern closes its doors

Sparky’s Sunset Grill is no more.

The popular Shawano County waterfront tavern has abruptly closed its doors without explanation on the verge of another summer tourist season.

Located on the southern shore of Shawano Lake, the establishment was among the few nightspots in the area where customers could sip a beer or enjoy a burger while directly overlooking the water.

Owner Sparky Steichen, who operated the tavern for about five years, declined to comment Friday except to say that the closure involved personal issues he would not discuss. A handwritten sign on the tavern’s front door read: “Sorry. Bar is closed until further notice.”

On his Facebook page, Steichen posted a message to customers that read in part: “I have decided it’s time to move on to new things.”

The message indicated that Sparky’s Sunset Grill was closing its doors effective at midnight Friday.

Landlord Rick Heyrman said he was trying to sell the waterfront property and that he had a prospective buyer who intended to maintain the tavern, perhaps reopening the business within a month.

Asked why the tavern would close during sale negotiations, Heyrman declined to comment.

“It’s nobody’s business what’s going on,” he said. “No one needs to know.”

Formerly known as the Bamboo Bar, the establishment at W5884 Cedar Court in the town of Wescott has been a popular nightspot, a lunchtime favorite and the scene of fishing tournaments, dart league competitions and music concerts.

Wescott town supervisor Duffy Schultz estimated that the tavern has existed under different names since the 1970s at least.

Schultz and other local officials said they were not aware of any reason why the place would shut down so suddenly.

Said town police officer Mike Vreeke: “I have no idea — not a clue.”