Summertime Restaurant Celebrates 100 Years

To mark the 100th birthday of the Summertime Restaurant, a Fish Creek landmark, the Gibraltar Historical Association is hosting “Gibraltar Talks… Summertime’s History 100 Years,” on Thursday, July 8. The program will begin at 7:30 pm at the Old Gibraltar Town Hall. Barbara McKessson, daughter of the late Roy and Virginia Kinsey, second owners of the historic building, will present the free lecture. Coffee and birthday cake will be served after the program.

It was in 1910 that Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Barringer, then owners of the Barringer Hotel, presently known as “Cooper’s Corner,” engaged architect Charles Gabert to design a retail summer ice cream shop for their daughters, Cora and Meta. The shop was constructed on the north half of the hotel property and named The Maple Tree Café.

The Maple Tree served vacationers who came to Fish Creek mainly by boat and featured a menu consisting specifically of ice cream and desserts.

As of 1984, the Summertime had been Door County’s oldest gift and resort shop. Now, under the management of owner Terry Bolland and his children, Heather and David, the Summertime is a fine dining establishment.

The Old Gibraltar Town Hall is located at the corner of Maple and Spruce Streets near the waterfront in Fish Creek. For more information call 920.868.3618.