South Tavern – Wednesday, October 19, 1898. News item – Manitowoc Daily Herald.
South Tavern – circa 1890s. This building was erected by William J. Kellner after he had built the Kellner Saloon and Hotel which stood across the street. His son Jack would eventually assume ownership until selling it to Hank and Helen Novy in 1939. Photo courtesy of Gary and Darlene Herrmann.
Coach-Lite Inn – 1971. Gary and Darlene’s first menu after purchasing the former Novy’s in 1971. Photo courtesy of Gary and Darlene Herrmann.
Coach-Lite Inn – 1977. That’s Helen Novy working in the kitchen. Gary and Darlene Herrmann purchased Novy’s from Hank and Helen Novy in 1971. Helen continued to work for the Herrmanns throughout their ownership (1971-1988). Helen was an expert in the kitchen and shared many of her food and bakery recipes over the years. Helen and her husband Hank had operated Novy’s since 1939. Photo courtesy of Gary and Darlene Herrmann.
Coach-Lite Inn – 1977. This view is looking north. Photo courtesy of Gary and Darlene Herrmann.
Coach-Lite Inn – 1977. Darlene Herrmann’s brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Judy Kabat, standing outside the Coach-Lite Inn. This view is looking south. Photo courtesy of Gary and Darlene Herrmann.
Coach-Lite Inn – 1977. Gary Herrmann measuring during the first remodel. Photo courtesy of Gary and Darlene Herrmann.
Coach-Lite Inn – 1978. The bar as it appeared after the first remodel in 1977-78. Photo courtesy of Gary and Darlene Herrmann.
Coach-Lite Inn – 1978. The dining room as it appeared after the first remodel in 1977-78. Photo courtesy of Gary and Darlene Herrmann.
Coach-Lite Inn – 1979. Members of the Herrmann family gather at the bar – from left Gary’s brother and wife, Gary’s mother, and Darlene’s parents. Photo courtesy of Gary and Darlene Herrmann.
Coach-Lite Inn – Friday, June 1, 1984. Ad used by permission of Herald Times Reporter/Gannett.com.
Coach-Lite Inn – 1983. Darlene Herrmann (left) and her sister stand outside after the second remodel. The new addition was added in 1982-83. Photo courtesy of Gary and Darlene Herrmann.
Coach-Lite Inn – 1983. The bar area as it appeared after the 2nd remodel. Those were custom-made lanterns that hung around the bar. Photo courtesy of Gary and Darlene Herrmann.
Coach-Lite Inn – 1983. Some of the waitstaff near the new bar area after the remodel.
Coach-Lite Inn – 1983. Gary and Darlene Herrmann take a break from their busy life. They would regularly seat about 500 people on a Friday night. The most they seated was 680 people during one Mother’s Day in the mid-1980’s. Beginning about 1987 competition and crushing loan fees on the remodel began to take its toll on their finances. In Fall of 1988 the bank called in their loan (foreclosed) and they served their last customers on Thanksgiving weekend. Photo courtesy of Gary and Darlene Herrmann.
Coach-Lite Inn – December 19, 1987. Customers at the bar – the last Christmas season for the Coach-Lite. Photo courtesy of Gary and Darlene Herrmann.
4709 Menasha Ave. – June 2012. The corner of the former Coach-lite Inn as it appears today looking east.
