Downtown investments spur optimism

Enhancements made to attract, retain customer loyalty

By: Charlie Mathews, Herald Times Reporter

MANITOWOC — Just in time for the summer tourist season, a New Jersey transplant, native Manitowoc County couple, and a family from India by way of Pennsylvania are all delighted to be making investments or renovations in two downtown lodging establishments and a tavern-restaurant.

They are all in the people-pleasing business and believe they have the products and services to do just that.
Howard Silverstein, Al and Debi Erickson, and Akshay and Ankur Patel shared their optimism with the Herald Times Reporter.

Location, location, location

"Nobody has a location comparable to this," said Silverstein, the general manager of the Best Western Lakefront Hotel, 101 Maritime Drive, since February.

"Nobody else can come close to the view and the ambience this property brings and our being centrally located to Mariner's Trail, stores and museums," said Silverstein, 53, who grew up in New Jersey and has been in the hospitality industry for 30 years.

"Getting involved with the community has brought me phenomenal people," Silverstein said of local hires including Dani Morantez as guest services manager, Theresa Paral as a front desk associate and Jennifer Vogel as sales manager.

Recognizing the need to upgrade his hotel's food offerings and quality, Silverstein said he has "stabilized the kitchen" with the promotion of Ginny Bauer to executive chef.

The Boatyard Cafe has reopened for lunch and one recent weekday several corporate groups were in the dining area overlooking the Manitowoc Harbor.

Silverstein and his staff have introduced a "Beat the Clock" menu with the price for roast sirloin, herbed chicken, fried shrimp, baked rigatoni, chef's special and fish of the day $6.95 if the customer punches in from 4:01 to 5 p.m., $7.95 from 5:01 to 6 p.m. and $8.95 from 6:01 to 7 p.m. Sunday to Thursday.

Furnishings in guest rooms underwent a major makeover two years ago, but Silverstein said the front desk area has been renovated. Staff in all areas now are in uniform.

Silverstein is pleased with initial results, with increased revenue and headcounts, including a strong Easter.

He anticipates expanding Best Western's banquet and catering businesses, with several indoor and outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions on the schedule.

Looking toward summer, he said Best Western is putting together various golf, fishing and scuba diving packages, including the S.S. Badger carferry as a partner.

"Everybody I'm packaging with are local businesses … that's important," said Silverstein, noting how "warm and endearing" everybody he's met has been.

"These are very exciting times for us … we're wide awake, recapturing lost business," Silverstein said.

Pursuing his dream

As one of the new co-owners of The Fat Seagull, 807 Quay St., Al Erickson knows he's going to be working long hours at the tavern and restaurant.

"I know it will be enjoyable meeting new people and having friends come here," said Al, who recently left his job as a carpenter for Burger Boat.

Debi will continue to work in accounting for Red Arrow Products but she also will put in plenty of time behind the bar at the business purchased in April from Al and MaryKay Kubsch.

Between the land, the business and new furnishings the Ericksons have made about a $200,000 investment.

They will be open every day from 11 a.m. to closing, 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights and 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Their menu includes the usual assortment of fries, onion rings, cheese balls, chicken strips, burgers and brats, but also a Friday Night fish fry with perch, shrimp and blue gill.

Debi raved about her brother Tony Brull's lobster bisque served on Fridays, acknowledging recipe help from Dick Orth who used to own the former Hamilton House on Tenth Street.

Four flat-screen TVs will show sports events and the Ericksons plan to have hors d'oeuvres and drink specials during Green Bay Packers games.

In the future they may create a banquet room upstairs, currently used for storage. They would like to have live music with bands playing outdoors in their parking lot.

Family affair for life

The Patels have owned the business since May 2005, after moving from Philadelphia, but the hotel didn't change its name from Heritage Inn to EconoLodge in October.

"A few franchises were ready to give us 'the flag,'" said Akshay Patel, general manager of the family-owned lodging establishment, 908 Washington St.

Having a franchise connection carries certain advantages, including Internet reservations and marketing support.

Other family members serving visitors include Akshay's wife, Ragina, his brother, Ankur Patel who does maintenance, and another brother, Divyang Gupta.

Ankur said they recognize it is an ongoing challenge to keep guests happy and they know the hotel didn't have a sterling image with Lakeshore area residents.

"When we took over it was a rundown property with a poor reputation," Ankur said.

Akshay said they have invested about $300,000 in he past year including new beds, new carpeting, new flat-screen TVs, fresh paint and other enhancements.

He said they went against the preference of EconoLodge corporate officials and purchased their beds from a local supplier, WG&R furniture, and signage from Mr. Otek rather than going with national suppliers.

Akshay and Ankur said they make regular rounds in the hallways and parking lot through the night to make sure quiet hours are kept. They like the fact the Manitowoc Police Department is adjacent to their parking lot,
giving patrons a sense of security.

Akshay said he and his brothers checked out Manitowoc as a community before deciding to purchase the hotel. He said they checked out the city's crime rate and determined Manitowoc would be a safe place to raise their children.

Akshay and Ankur said they will be in the lodging business the rest of their adult lives. "There are always challenges but they bring out the best in everybody and make it fun," Ankur said.

top of page