WAUSAU - at 300 N. Third St. The cafe, formerly known as the Ugly Mug, plans to reopen this month as Honest J's Bistro.
The owners of Ugly Mug, which opened in 2018 and was formerly Kiri Paisley's, announced on social media on Jan. 22 that they are selling the store. The Ugly Cup closed its doors on January 28.
The store's new owners, Arthur Wood III and Devon Marks, live in downtown Wausau. While Marks is a Wausau native, Wood is a newcomer, having moved to Wausau from Chicago last fall after previously living in Florida.
"(Wisconsin) is really good," Wood said. While the couple lived in Florida, Wood said he missed the "hardwoods and pines" that reminded him of his hometown in Indiana.
Since their arrival, Wood and Marks have tried to make their mark on the city that "lives and breathes Wausau." Marks runs a consulting firm and serves on the neighborhood's business improvement board, and he and Wood opened a new home at 615 N. Third St. last October.
They now plan to open Honest J's on March 15th.
The new owners are renovating and planning to expand the store's offer
When the cafe reopens, customers of the formerly ugly Kira will recognize a few things: a bare brick wall, a counter, and a butterfly head painted purple, surrounded by silk flowers.
But Marks Wood has made some important changes to the space. Not only do they paint the walls and change the furniture, but they also change what the restaurant offers throughout the day.
Marks said they plan to serve coffee and lunch in the morning, then transition to bar-style food -- "soups, salads, sandwiches and signature dishes" -- with cocktails later in the day.
In addition, Marks said Honest J already offers live entertainment such as acoustic singers, comedians and poetry readers.
The new restaurant's name is inspired by Wausau's history
One of the biggest changes is the restaurant's new name.
The shop has been serving coffee for over 15 years, but has gone by various names: The Ugly Mug, The Paisley Mug and Allister Dickon's.
With the restaurant located in the historic Third Street Lifestyle Center shopping district (formerly Washington Square), Wood turned to Wausau's history to come up with the new name. He was drawn to the story of Wausau's second mayor, Jacob Paff.
According to the Wausau Historical Society, Pough immigrated to Wausau from Prussia and became a tailor and store general manager, then worked in the insurance and lumber industries. Buff also held several positions in city government, one term as mayor. He was known for his honesty and earned the nickname "Honest Jake".
Hence the name Honest J's, which has "local and historical significance," Wood said.
He added: "(Buff) came from a different place and he was a Wasau."
The owners hope it will become "part of everyday life for busy people".
Getting a third candy store helped Marks and Wood move from the Honest J's location. Not only can the two companies share parts of their supply chains, but new employees at Honest J's also receive coffee shop training at Sweets on the Third, Wood said.
As Honest J grows, Wood said, he hopes the restaurant will become part of the "daily routine for busy people," whether customers are on the go or staying in to eat.
The restaurant has not yet released its hours to the public, but Marks initially said Honest J's will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Rebecca Loroff is a breaking news and trends reporter for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. Contact him at rloroff@gannett.com.
