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East Gate Inn
Settler’s Bay
On the Rock
1601 East Gate Drive
East Gate Inn derived its name from being located very near to the old toll gate for the Watertown Plank Road.
1999 Vacant East Gate Inn becomes Settler’s Bay
View of Settler's Bay
2008
09 12 Closing of Settler's Bay
We have decided to post this message on our website to explain our decision to close Settler's Bay. There are many factors that contributed to our decision and far too many to try to explain within such an impersonal forum. We know that Settler's Bay was a favorite spot of many people and so out of respect for those individuals who supported us throughout the years, we will provide a brief synopsis of our decision.
When we took over the restaurant as owner/operators in August 2005 (the building has been owned by the same partners since it became Settler's Bay in 1999, but had been leased out until 8/05), Rob was a part time consultant to the business. His role was to find out why the three previous tenants of the restaurant had not succeeded and to make changes so the restaurant could become profitable. As layer of layer of information was gathered, it became obvious that significant changes needed to be made. Within the first year, staff changes were made, expenses were cut, the menu was changed, improvements were made to the building and decor, and essentially without skipping a beat, Settler's Bay was reborn . . .
Having the conversation with the staff, many whom who had worked so hard for us over the past few years was very difficult. We, after 3 years, finally had a core group of people who we were proud of and who represented our restaurant well. The only thing we lacked was someone who could take some of the burden off our shoulders, a General Manager. Unfortunately, this was a key position that we simply could not fill.
Settler's Bay has closed and the building will be put up for sale . . .
2009
Watertown Daily Times, 02 19 2009
Settler’s Bay, 1601 East Gate Drive, Watertown, reopens today with a few new changes. The restaurant closed to the public last fall.
A portion of the facility will be opened to regular customers as a nonsmoking, casual pub called the Moose Head Pub. A casual menu will be offered consisting of burgers, sandwiches, fish fry and wood fired oven pizzas. The original dining portion of the facility will remain closed and the restaurant will be operated within the main bar area.
Settler’s Bay will still be in operation but only as a venue for professionally catered banquets and weddings. The guest renting the banquet area will be able to choose an outside caterer. The Settler’s Bay facility will no longer prepare food for banquets.
“We want to clarify that this is a new concept and a new menu,” Sally Kelenic, representative of Settler’s Bay, said. “We’re happy to bring many of our former staff members back and are looking forward to catching up with our regulars.”
2011
05 18 On the Rock, a new restaurant in Watertown, will open for business on May 23. The restaurant isthe former home of Settler’s Bay. The building will also include a sports tavern named Shooter’s Sports Bar.
The establishment is owned by John and Barb Bendall, who are former teachers from Oconomowoc.
On
the Rock and Shooter’s Sports Bar will be family-run businesses with hopes to
become destination points in Watertown.
WDT
Buckshots Bar and
Grill
114 N. Water St
Watertown Daily Times, 08 22 1959
Sally Kelenic and Rob Geiger, owners of the Moose Head Pub and Settler's Bay, will be opening their newest establishment, Buckshots Bar and Grill, in early October.
Buckshots Bar and Grill will feature loaded burgers and appetizers, as well as a limited casual bar menu in a smoke-free environment. A wide variety of domestic and imported beers and wine and cocktails will also be available.
The establishment will be located at 114 N. Water St., the former home of Rally Time and Don’s Bar.
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