FDL Landmark Closing Doors After 82 Years

It’s official. The last cup of famous clam chowder has been served at Schreiner’s Restaurant in Fond du Lac. The press release issued Wednesday morning confirmed what social media and employees had been saying for the past few days. The landmark that has been around since 1938 and served more than 500,000 guests a year, is closing its doors. 

“It has been my incredible honor to be a part of Schreiner’s Restaurant for most of my life, from busboy to baker/cook to owner. My time with original owners Bernie and Maureen Schreiner was invaluable and a true joy. Ultimately the formula for success for the Schreiners’ was simple: serve great food at a fair price and treat customers and employees as family” says Paul Cunningham, president of Schreiner’s. Cunningham began his Schreiner’s career in 1969 as a 15-year-old busboy, and along with his wife Joan are owners of this historic restaurant. The Cunningham’s were assisted in management by their daughter and son-in-law Marcia and Nathan Haupt. These four members of management have collectively worked for over 100 years at Schreiner’s.

Craig Molitor, president of Destination Lake Winnebago Region said “What an awesome and welcoming beacon it has been for this community for generations and generations! Schreiner’s offering of old-world friendliness and celebration of comfort food with traditional family recipes, combined with the recent addition of Bernie’s Pub made it a destination restaurant any community would love to have. The food, the friends, and the iconic business will be missed” Molitor went on to say.

The Cunningham and Haupt families stated in near unison that “the pleasure was all ours to work with and serve such dedicated and wonderful folks!”

For a historical look at Schreiner’s Restaurant, visit http://www.fdlchowder.com/history.iml