'Ein Prosit'

bar opens;

owner plans

to add

dance hall

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Most of the sweat and toil that Darryl Weigel put into his new project, a bar called Ein Prosit and eventually an on-site dance hall is over and done with.

By Weigel's own estimate, approximately 65 percent of the project is complete.

The bar, which is named for the German expression used when offering a toast that could be interpreted as "Cheers," opened its doors to customers last week. A grand opening is planned for later this month.

Weigel is also planning the second phase of Ein Prosit, turning the basement into a dance hall and banquet facility. He anticipates it will take some time to complete.

The basement functioned as a warehouse for the old McCleary's Auto Parts store, which previously occupied the building. Decades ago, the space was home to the Lyric and Hollywood movie theaters.

The old projection booth still exists, and Weigel points to some black markings on the wall as the last remnants of a movie screen.

Transforming the former theater-turned-warehouse isn't going to be an easy task. Weigel plans to level out the now-sloped floor in order to seat about 160 people. Other plans call for a bar, stage and dance floor. Currently, the space holds little more than lumber, tables and some construction equipment.

The room was used to store construction supplies while work was done on the bar upstairs.

Aside from the mess in the basement, Weigel and Ein Prosit's other employee, Cheryl Thompson -- Weigel's girlfriend -- say their bar is already attracting the so-called regulars even though it's only been open for about a week. Both credit the downtown location for walk-in customers.

Just up Minnesota Street, in fact, are Rodney's Tavern and Mowan's Bar. Even farther north are Veigel's Kaiserhoff, the Schnitzelbank Stube and the Lamplighter Family Sports Bar & Grill.

Weigel said the closeness allows barhoppers to park their cars and "visit everybody."

"Being downtown is the key," Weigel said.