Our Story

Club Chalet sits on top of Collards Hill next to the Red Banks Alvar, overlooking the waters of Green Bay on what was once State Highway 57. In 2004 the highway expanded and moved south behind Club Chalet, making the establishment a "hidden gem".

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Rumor has it that the Chalet was actually built in 1927 as an ice cream parlor where tourists ferrying across the bay from Suamico may have enjoyed refreshments a  little stronger than ice cream sundaes during the prohibition days, and the caves nearby housed some of the adult beverages for the Chalet to serve to its thirsty patrons. The Chalet was also rumored to have been a brothel, where call buttons were present in the bedrooms upstairs, and still present in the dinning room today.

Before the restaurant was know as Club Chalet, it was called The Tavern, the Ye Olde Tavern, and until 1944, Rhodes Acropolis, which it is believed that the owner at that time lost the establishment to an unlucky hand of poker.

In 1944, Ed and Jim Herro purchased and remodeled the property opening it as "Club Chalet", before it was then purchased by Margaret and Alvin Van de Sande in 1946. In 1956 Bill "Zip" and Janis Zimmerman purchased Club Chalet and lived on-site in the 2nd florr living quarters with their 8 children. Beverly Hafeman, who worked at the Chalet as a waitress and bartender since the early 1980's purchased the property in 1990 with her husband Steve Hafeman. Steve was a home-remodeling contractor prior to purchasing the Chalet, and through the years had remodeled and updated the Chalet in many areas, including a new kitchen, parking lot, and updated bar.The couple also had three daughters, Tammy, Gena, and Sara, who all worked in the Chalet growing up, and ultimately ended up purchasing the Chalet from their parents in 2003. In 2019 the three sisters sold the Chalet to Sean Christman of Seymour, who currently operates the Chalet today.

Club Chalet has always been well-known for its 16oz. lobster and now offers a baked and deep fried option to add to the Chalet's legacy. In the past, the Chalet sold more than 240 pounds of lobster per week! Which was more than any restaurant in Northeast Wisconsin. Since Sean purchased the Chalet in 2019, he has added many new updates and dishes, including a salad bar with over 45 different options, and an extensive ice cream drink menu with over 40 available and growing! The Chalet is off the proverbial beaten path, but those "in the know" still show up on a regular basis.

The Club Chalet family will continue finding new ways to impress, and wine and dine our customers giving each patron a unique and memorable experience.