Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Voss. Them and their team share their story with us below:
George “Showboat” Fisher had just retired in 1932 from ten years of major and minor league baseball, playing for the Washington Senators and the St. Louis Cardinals. He was 33, loved hunting and fishing, and didn’t want to get tied down with a year-round job so he opened Fisher’s Club on the northeast shore of Middle Spunk Lake. The dance floor by the jukebox was added in 1937, and the sale of cold beer and playing of slot machines made the summer-only bar a popular place. So popular, that Showboat would spend most summer nights sleeping by the front door, with his shotgun and hunting dog as his only companions. This was to protect the day’s gambling takes.
Back then, ten-year-old George Jr. and his brothers Lewis and Dick would fish area lakes all week for Sunfish, Northerns, and Crappies, “Anything that would bite,” said Junior. His dad would give the fried fish away free at the bar until one summer night a savvy nightclub owner from St. Cloud walked in and told Showboat, “You should get walleye and sell it.” He took her advice, created a secret breading recipe, and the legendary Fisher’s Famous Walleye began. That recipe is used here today. It’s still a secret, and no, we won’t tell you what is in it.
Fisher’s was closed during the final two years of WWII, reopening in the summer of 1946. The Bottle Club feature was added then, and Flo cooked fish and sandwiches in a tiny kitchen space behind the current bar wall. The main dining room was added in 1953, and the porch in ’54. Junior came home from a construction job in Greenland to work with his dad at The Club. “Stick around to help me here at The Club or I’m going to sell it,” Junior says his dad told him. So he stayed.
In 1959, Junior and his wife Sally took over the operation of Fisher’s Club, expanding the current kitchen and adding their own touches to the place. This includes the celebrated red wallpaper in the bar area, bought by Flo and Sally and hung with the help of friends Hazel Lundberg, Marge Blattner, and Joy Netter. Sally and Hazel spent one long, hot summer making batch after batch of potato salad until they arrived at their now-famous recipe, which we faithfully follow. Fisher’s children Tammy and Bing both spent many of their summers working all aspects of the restaurant business.
Fast forward to today, and Fisher’s is across the road from the Lake Wobegon Trail, overlooking the shores of Middle Spunk Lake, and is still serving their famous walleye dinner. Cousins, Jacob and Cory Voss, as well as their families, have continued the legacy started by the original Fisher family. The seasonality remains, starting in May and extending through December, as well as the addition of a full service bar. Private events are available year-round with the addition of full heating and air conditioning. Creating new memories, and reminiscing of old times with fine friends, good food, and a cool beverage is what Fisher’s has always been about.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think looking back over the last 6 years it has been a pretty smooth road. We certainly have had our fair share of bumps and many learnings but overall the experience has been great. I would really point to our community and our team as the reasons for that. We’re so thankful to operate our business in a community that is so supportive and our team is made up of a bunch of great people. They really make Fishers, Fishers. We’re grateful to be able to work alongside them. I would also add our Family has been so supportive whether that be helping out on really busy nights, providing advice and guidance or just supporting us by grabbing a table with friends. We wouldn’t be here without them.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Fishers Club?
Fishers Club is a restaurant located on Middle Spunk Lake and we operate as a Supper Club. It’s an establishment that has been a staple in the community for many years and is rich with history. That history is what really fuels the great atmosphere and dining experience. We embrace our history by preserving many of the unique parts of it, whether that be our Red wallpaper that was put up in the 50s or our bottle club lockers that are displayed on our walls sharing about our past history of operating as a bottle club.
We are proud of our food, many of which we have homemade recipes dating back to the original owners. We continue that tradition by making every effort to keep our food homemade. While we no longer operate as a bottle club we’re we offer the usual Supper Club classics like a manhattan or an old fashion along with having 14 tab beers on tap to enjoy.
We really embrace the idea, that you come to Fishers with a group of family and/or friends and build memories, enjoy the company, find good and drink. We hear from so many of our guest that came with their grandparents and now are bringing their grandkids. It’s that type of support we are grateful for and are happy to be a part of people’s memories gathering together.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I continue to see Technology play a role in our guest dining experience. With COVID our business in particular had to adapt on how our guests were looking for service. Since then we’ve made some adjustments to provide a better digital experience. However, I really do feel at the core of what people are looking for won’t change. A place that provides friendly service, and good food but on top of that is a place that provides a unique experience regardless of the digital noise around us I see people continue to find value and enjoyment in gathering together and being present.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fishersclub.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/fishersclub?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fishersclubmn/
