Our History

Arthur’s Supper Club History:

Originally a truck stop, this property was purchased from Earl Hill by Gene & Eleanor Rock in May of 1946. Rocks continued to run the truck stop until 1951. They then sold to Richard & Iris Umhoefer from Plain. The Umhoefers changed it to a Shell truck stop. In late 1955 they built a new truck stop with showers, bunk beds and a lounge with a television for the truckers. 

On the west side of the property, a modern new restaurant opened with Louella Sprecher as manager. The grand opening was February 1956. The new building was called “The Truck-O-Tel”. It continued as a truck stop until January 1966. The showers, bunk beds & lounge were remodeled and changed to a 21-year-old liquor bar called the “Black Watch Cocktail Lounge”. The future owner of the building, Art Bar managed this, Art Baryenbruch. 

In Jan. of 1967, a 18-year-old bar called the “Kiltie” was opened in the east part of the building on weekends only. This lasted a few months and then it turned back to a full-time restaurant. In Jan. 1968, it became a true supper club. Dan Wiedenfeld opened what was called “Mr. D’s steakhouse”. He ran it until June 1973. It was then closed a couple of weeks and reopened under new management. After a contest, the name was changed to “House O’ Steaks”. 

In July 1976, Art and Shirley Baryenbruch bought the business from the Umhoefers. This is when the name of the business became, “Arthur’s - The Place for Steaks”. Art and Shirley continued to operate it until Nov. 1983 when they sold to the former bar manager Gerald Fitzgerald and wife Sandy. Barb Fitzgerald, Jerry’s sister, joined the business and continued to run it until 1986 when Barb Fitzgerald bought Arthur’s from Jerry. 

In December of 1995, Barb sold Arthur’s to John & Mary Pat Kaul. The Kaul’s did a full remodel adding a Steakhouse drive thru, large dance floor and banquet hall. They also doubled the number of tables in the main dining area. Arthur’s now features an indoor and outdoor waterfall, indoor and outdoor seating, a drive thru that is famous for Friday fish fries, and a lounge that hosts live bands every Friday, and Banquet area for 300+ guests. 

The Kaul's operated Arthur's until 2021. In 2021 Brian & Kris Stoddard purchased the restaurant from the Kaul Family, and continues to offer a great supper club experience while continue to operate as a family business.