Ferch’s Beachside Grille, a new concessions area located in the renovated beach house at 100 E. Hawthorne Ave. in Grant Park, will open for the season next week.
To commemorate the grand opening, Ferch’s will host a ribbon-cutting and keg-tapping ceremony on Thursday, June 9 at 3:30 p.m.
The venue, which initially opened (if briefly) last fall is operated by the Ferchoff family whose first restaurant, Ferch's Malt Shoppe, opened its doors in Greendale in 1987. The family has also worked with SURG Restaurant Group to operate the seasonal food stand at Bradford Beach.
Ferch's Beachside Grille will feature craft beer and wine, burgers, fries and frozen custard as well as malts, shakes and other fountain treats.
The Ferchoffs invested more than $120,000 in the property to convert the beach house into a concessions area. Renovation included cosmetic augmentation along with the installation of a full commercial kitchen, air conditioning, electrical upgrades and the addition of pick-up windows.
County Executive Chris Abele, County Supervisor David L. Sartori, South Milwaukee Mayor Erik Brooks, and Parks Director John Dargle, Jr. will attend the grand opening, along with Ferch’s owners Jeff, Betty and Dale Ferchoff. The public is invited to share in the tapping with free beer and lemonade, while supplies last, and to enjoy music by Rock’in Randy "Almost Live" Entertainment.
"I’d like to thank Jeff, Betty and Dale Ferchoff for their commitment to improving not only the quality of the beach house, but also the quality of the experience residents and visitors will have when visiting Grant Beach," Abele said in a press release. "This renewal is yet another example of a successful public-private partnership."
In addition to burgers and custard, the oasis will offer beach chairs and umbrellas, kayaks and paddle boards for rent as well as numerous entertainment options. Adding to the sand-volleyball leagues begun by Cities & Sports Social Club in 2015, the Ferchoffs will coordinate ping pong, beach games, musical entertainment and special events at the beach.
The area will also be available to rent for private parties.
Ferch’s Beachside Grille will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Labor Day.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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