Lakeside Market starts a new chapter

FREMONT – Local resort owners Reid and Alecia Raschke are expanding their business presence in Fremont with the purchase of the neighboring grocery and deli, Let’s Meat.

The couple has rebranded the business as Lakeside Market and said they plan to expand its product offerings while maintaining its role in the local community.

The Raschkes own and operate Blue Top Resort on Partridge Lake directly across the street. Alecia said they saw the purchase as a natural next step to build up their community and cater to local campers.

Previous owners Mike Pozorski and Beth Ebert opened Let’s Meat in 2023. The business became a community hub during recent severe flooding in the area. The location was unaffected by floodwaters and served as a distribution center for donations and a gathering spot where volunteers and impacted residents could get hot meals and water.

Alecia said the couple plans to maintain that welcoming environment.

“We definitely want this to be a place where people can come and relax and talk to each other,” she said, adding that she hopes it remains a space to enjoy a hot meal and a cup of coffee.

The business hummed with activity Friday as local residents filtered through the doors and browsed the deli display case. At one point, two customers recognized each other and began reminiscing about riding the school bus together as children.

A building with a rich history
While Lakeside Market marks a new chapter, the building itself holds a storied past, displayed in a framed article hanging on the wall inside.

Located on a triangle on Highway 10 and County Trunk U, the property was originally part of the Lovejoy Farm before the highway was rerouted. In 1956, Al Abbey bought the corner, constructed the building, and opened the Lakeview restaurant which he operated alongside his wife for 8 years.

The business was sold to Ida Phillips who operated it for a short time until she was killed in a car accident pulling out of the driveway in heavy fog. Subsequent owner Gary Hofberger never opened the business due to an explosion on opening day.

In 1968, Korean War veteran Lloyd Bielfuss and his wife, Vickie, opened the Charcoal Inn at the location, serving made-to-order brats and steaks on a genuine charcoal grill. The restaurant became a family affair, with their four sons Mark, Mike, David and Dan helping out. Today, Lloyd and Vickie still live in the house next door to the building.

Something old and something new
Lakeside Market will feature expanded hours and a new business model, including the addition of a breakfast menu and coffee from Nelsonville-based Ruby Coffee Roasters. The market will operate from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

While the Raschkes are incorporating lighter, healthier meal options like lettuce salads, the market will continue to offer popular mainstays. Customers can still purchase Leroy Meat brats, homemade pizzas, ice cream and deli salads. Alecia said they are awaiting a liquor license that would allow Lakeside Market to sell beer, with sales expected to begin later this summer.

The Raschkes are retaining the current employees from Let’s Meat while adding a few new staff members to help operate Lakeside Market. Local baker Chickie will continue making customer favorites, including banana pudding and cheesecakes.

The Raschkes also plan to make Lakeside Market a convenient camp store for their campers by bringing camping supplies to the forefront of the store and adding new signage.

Keeping it local
Reid and Alecia, Weyauwega-Fremont High School graduates and high school sweethearts, are both graduates of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. After graduating with a business marketing degree, Reid became a financial planner with Northwestern Mutual in 2009. Alecia later completed the accelerated nursing program at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and earned a Master of Science in Nursing from Concordia University Wisconsin.

The couple entered the resort business in 2019 when they purchased Blue Top Resort. Reid had previously sold his financial planning practice in 2018 to pursue the new venture, while Alecia continues to balance her role as a business owner with her career as a nurse practitioner.

Now, often accompanied by their two-year-old daughter, Hazel, and golden retriever, Doc, Lakeside Market is the next chapter in the family’s waterfront lifestyle.