The Fireside

Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, United States

The Fireside started out as just a small pyramid-shaped restaurant with a focus on Chinese/Polynesian food and tropical cocktails.

The dinner theater aspect proved a success and they continued to expand to hold larger and larger audiences until the pyramid section, though still there, is almost obscured in the sprawling conglomerate of add-on structures.

They continue to thrive to this day, although the tropical drinks menu is much smaller and they no longer sell branded tiki mugs.

The following timeline is condensed from the Fireside's website:

1964

Dick and Betty Klopcic build an intimate, 60’ X 60’ pyramid-shaped restaurant. Naming it The Fireside after the cozy fireplace at its center, they offer the finest foods and exceptional service. People drive for miles and miles every night of the week to experience this unique new restaurant designed by Fort Atkinson architect Helmut Ajango.

1966 to 1972

The restaurant proves to be so popular that the Klopcic family expands it four times during this period to accommodate the ever-increasing demand for dining space.

1978

The Fireside restaurant building is joined to another building nearby that had previously housed an art gallery. The Klopcics transform this new space into a spectacular 435 seat theatre-in-the-round.

1992 to 1993

The Fireside Dinner Theatre undertakes a major renovation under the direction of Company President Rick Klopcic. The entire complex is upgraded to consistently welcome several thousand guests each week.