'It’s been tough': Bass Bay Brewhouse aims to rebuild after massive fire
MUSKEGO, Wis. (CBS 58) -- It's been more than two months since a massive fire destroyed a beloved family-owned restaurant in Muskego.
"Literally had a whole world flipped upside-down overnight," said Ryan Oschmann, one of the owners at the Bass Bay Brewhouse.
As Oschmann looks out at what's left of the restaurant that’s been in his family for decades, all he feels is heartbreak.
"It’s been tough for everyone involved, really," said Oschmann. "Looking at it all just like, being a pile of rubble, it’s heartbreaking."
Oschmann says there is still no word on what caused the fire. In the meantime, he and his family are holding onto hope and doing everything they can to rebuild.
“We’re working on it," said Oschmann. "We’re doing the best that we can. You know, starting to navigate our way through the hurdles and the difference between you know, what's there to be provided to us from insurance, to what that’s going to take for new production cost."
Together, the community raised more than $70,000 to help support the more than 80 employees who lost their jobs after the fire.
"You know, those funds made an amazing impact on so many different employees that work for us at Bass Bay," said Oschmann.
So, while he says it's going to be a big task to bring the Brewhouse back to life, he says his community is what keeps him going.
"All - just the kind words and the stories that have been shared with us," said Oschmann. "It makes it where it’s not a question for us to proudly go back to do everything we can to make sure that that is the best it can be again."
Oschmann says there is no exact reopening date yet, but he hopes to be rebuilt and back open by spring or summer of 2027.