WE'RE HOOKED. 1917 Lake Wissota (9504 County Hwy S, Chippewa Falls), formerly home to The Edge Pub & Eatery, has reimagined lakeside dining in the Chippewa Valley. With continued growth since its opening on Memorial Day weekend, the new restaurant owners look toward a fall season of new savory menu items and beverages.

A summer season of boating, swimming, and enjoying Chippewa Valley’s great outdoors may have come and gone, but a new eatery on the shores of Lake Wissota will continue to grow as the incoming full-service restaurant on – as locals call it – “the big lake.”

1917 Lake Wissota (9504 County Hwy S, Chippewa Falls), formerly home to The Edge Pub & Eatery, reflects on a summer season of transition and reimagining lakeside dining. From a sit-down dining experience to quick bites before getting back on the water, the new restaurant exudes a Midwest and equally nautical experience for guests.

Chippewa Falls locals, Loopy Cleich, Darrin and Kim Senn, and Jason Darley — each with their own former and current experiences in the hospitality industry — came together to purchase the local restaurant from former owner, Al Grube.

1917 Lake Wissota draws its namesake from the year the lake it rests alongside was founded, honoring the historical legacy of the Chippewa Valley landmark.

“We are all big Chippewa people,” Darley said. “We want our establishment to really exemplify what it means to be on Lake Wissota.”

Darley said the four co-owners' shared determination — and collaborative spirit — allowed the restaurant to open on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, an ambitious timeline given the transition began in April of this year.

Following opening weekend, the restaurant continued to have a dual dining experience for the summertime months. Dawson's Pub & The Spillway offers hot, ready-to-eat food and ice cream for children on the marina side, while the Main Dining & Bar Area offers an elevated dining experience with a view.

A view from 1917 Lake Wissota's outdoor dining area, located within "Dawson's Pub & The Spillway."

The restaurant also offers private dining reservations and hosts events in its Eagle Rapids Room. Darley shared the story of a couple marking their 50th wedding anniversary with a celebration at 1917 Lake Wissota in June — the very place they had their wedding reception five decades prior.

“We want people to come for special events (and) we want people to come for casual events; we’re kind of a ‘come as you are’ establishment,” Darley said.

1917 Lake Wissota features wide lunch and dinner menus catered toward all types of palates, Darley said. Highlights of the menu include the classic 1917 Burger (served with your choice of sides), an everyday fish fry, along with a selection of both pizzas and flatbreads.

We want our establishment to really exemplify what it means to be on Lake Wissota.

jason darley

co-owner, 1917 lake wissota

To complement the food, Darley shared the restaurant also aims to expand their growing drink menu — featuring craft cocktails, a variety of beers, and other beverages — to include locally inspired and sourced products.

Marieke Gouda, Ranch Brand Meat Company, and Trumie's Line of Spirits are just a few of the local businesses 1917 Lake Wissota incorporates into their menus.

“We’ve got some great partners we work with that are good friends and customers,” Darley said. “We’ll continue to explore opportunities to showcase some of the great products from the hard working people of Chippewa Valley.”

From left to right, Loopy Cleich, Darrin and Kim Senn, and Jason Darley, the four co-owners of 1917 Lake Wissota.

Looking toward the fall season, the co-owners and their growing team of staff have their eyes — and tastebuds — set on refreshing the dining and drinks menu to feature seasonally-tied flavors and ingredients.

While the fall menu is still in the works, the restaurant has already begun serving entrees with an essence of the incoming season, including a pork tenderloin entree. “The fall and winter menu items — that will be coming out soon — are going to be based on comfort food (for) families,” Darley added.

1917 Lake Wissota (9504 County Hwy S, Chippewa Falls) welcomes guests daily from 11am to 11:30pm. The kitchen is open Sunday through Wednesday from 11am to 9pm, and Thursday through Saturday from 11am to 10pm. Stay up-to-date with the restaurant’s events and menu announcements on its Facebook page online (@1917lakewissota).