Man buys into small city to attract extra vacationers

At some point whereas on his laptop, Rogatz noticed {that a} small lodge — the Inexperienced Lake Inn — was on the market. The 17-room property, set on 1.5 acres of land, is minutes from the small city’s “downtown” space, and most significantly, simply across the nook from the 7.3-mile-long lake, which is claimed to be the deepest in Wisconsin.

Rogatz took the gamble, pondering that within the worst-case state of affairs, he might use the inn for personal getaways and invite prolonged household on trip. He spent the following few months refurbishing the inn — which he described as “nicely maintained, however very outdated.”

That worst-case state of affairs did not occur— in reality, the other did, he stated.

“The timing was proper because it was after Covid, and folks began desirous to do issues once more,” Rogatz recalled.  “I used to be like, ‘Wow, I am on to one thing.’ I made some respectable cash that first 12 months.”

His subsequent buy was The Manor, a grand waterside villa and visitor home with its personal boat dock, previously often called The Angel Inn.

The aged couple that had run it as a mattress and breakfast wished to retire to spend extra time with their grandchildren. Rogatz gave the seven-bedroom, seven-bathroom property a whole face-lift, changing its darkish colour scheme and Nineteen Seventies carpets, linen and furnishings with fashionable finishings and home windows that maximized its lakeside views.

Rogatz’s entrepreneurial thoughts started whirring, and instantly he noticed the potential in creating wedding ceremony packages incorporating each properties — the Inexperienced Lake Inn as a marriage venue, and The Manor for further visitor lodging. He even bought a minibus to shuttle visitors between venues.

Then, like a Monopoly participant on a profitable streak, when the native spa, Élan Brio, hit the market, Rogatz scooped up that property too. It meant he might add hair and wonder remedies for weddings, which included dips within the spa’s saltwater swimming pools.

Including the Goose Blind bar and restaurant and partnering with native golf programs sealed the deal for trip packages for fishermen and golfers within the space.  

Attracting extra vacationers to Inexperienced Lake has change into a private mission, stated Rogatz — particularly amongst those that recurrently go to one other Wisconsin city referred to as Lake Geneva, which he referred to as the default getaway for Chicago residents.

“It is loopy costly, and it is packed. It isn’t even enjoyable, as a result of there are such a lot of boats. However Inexperienced Lake is simply that bit additional away from Chicago, so it is probably not on the radar for lots of Chicago folks,” stated Rogatz.

He plans to vary that by advertising to journey sports activities teams in Chicago, and by constructing relationships in numerous cities to advertise Our Inexperienced Lake. The often quiet winter months — when common temperatures are under freezing — aren’t even a barrier, he stated. Ever optimistic and opportunistic, Rogatz plans to entertain guests with actions like ice crusing, ice fishing, curling and even canine sledding, he stated.

Rogatz stated his newest buy — Inexperienced Lake’s three-story former jail — will present indoor actions within the winter too, akin to boutiques and a flea market, in addition to cooking and mixology lessons.

He is already turned the primary flooring, which had a kitchen, right into a 40-seat breakfast venue referred to as the Terrace Cafe. The second flooring, the place the jail cells was, is proving a little bit trickier, he stated.

The third flooring is getting used for a month-to-month bingo night time, which Rogatz has agreed will proceed if he can use it for different occasions the remainder of the time, akin to laser tag and impediment programs.

Slightly than see Inexperienced Lake’s vacant properties as a purple flag, Rogatz views them as a possibility to create a “renaissance” for the city.

He stated he and different buyers who purchased native golf programs, cafes, resorts and bowling alleys have introduced a brand new vitality to Inexperienced Lake. Rogatz stated he now serves as an advisor on the Inexperienced Lake Financial Growth Committee.

Whereas some locals have expressed issues about their hidden gem turning into as busy as Lake Geneva, the Inexperienced Lake Space Chamber of Commerce is blissful for the city to be “placed on the map,” particularly in the course of the winter, stated Lisa Meier, the chamber’s govt director.

“Matt’s investments will assist uplift our charming neighborhood to be acknowledged as a year-round vacation spot,” stated Meier.

For Rogatz, it is change into his private mission to see Inexperienced Lake thrive.

“You come to Inexperienced Lake, and also you instantaneously take a breath,” he stated. “You’re feeling good. You are relaxed. You’re feeling all of the stress of the town leaving you.”