New Villa may have a new life

0 Comments | La Crosse Tribune, Oct 08, 1998

A former owner of the New Villa restaurant at 2132 Ward Ave. hopes to reopen it next week.

A portable sign in front of the restaurant Wednesday said "Prokschs New Villa to reopen soon; the tradition resumes."

Dave Guepfer, who closed the restaurant Sept. 28 saying it had become unprofitable, said Wednesday he is selling the New Villa back to Ken Proksch. Guepfer and two relatives bought the New Villa and Moxie's restaurant from Proksch and his brother, the late Jay Proksch, in 1989. Guepfer became sole owner in 1994.

Guepfer said he is not selling Moxie's and will continue to operate it. His wife, Donna, bought The Pancake House restaurant at 332 Jay St. on Sept. 23.

Proksch declined to comment until next week.

"The sale is pending, but nothing is final," Guepfer said.

Proksch hopes to reopen the restaurant next week, Guepfer said. "He is offering the employees their jobs back." The restaurant had about 25 employees.

The Prokschs' father, the late Elmer "Moxie" Proksch, owned and operated the New Villa for a number of years. The business started in the 1930s.