WFDL news has learned the historic Retlaw Hotel in downtown Fond du lac has closed its doors. Sources told WFDL news patrons are being moved to other motels in the community. The last event was the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce Empty Bowls fundraiser Wednesday. Fond du Lac city councilmember Karen Merkel was at the fundraiser and says she was surprised and disappointed to the hear the news. “Hopefully someone will pick up the Retlaw and it will be back in business again,” Merkel told WFDL news. “We heard they were going to stop having events there in the middle of December, but never that it would totally shut down, so that was a real surprise to me.” Earlier this fall a Milwaukee attorney was appointed the receiver of the assets of North Main Hospitality. Fond du Lac Redevelopment director Diane Benson says she hopes the hotel can eventually be sold and get back on its feet financially . “Obviously its disappointing whenever a significant business or property in the downtown that’s been in the community closes its doors,” Benson told WFDL news. “We have to be optimistic about what the future holds for the Retlaw Hotel. Its still in a great location, has great amenities to offer the community.” Benson says the city has to look for the right partner to see the potential in that property. “I think any vacant buildings in the downtown are certainly a challenge for the downtown. Obviously with a large building that creates more of a concern,” Benson said. “We have such great partnerships in the community with the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation, the Association (Commerce) the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership that I’m really optimistic that working with the city we’ll find the right partner and there will be a new tennant in that building within a period of time.” The Fond du Lac city council voted last summer not to renew the hotel’s alcohol license after the hotel was delinquent in payment of utility bills and property taxes.
