Local History (McHenry County and surroundings): Then and Now: Disbrow Wagon Shop/ Offie's Tap

In 1882, a two story, wood frame structure was constructed in the village of Huntley. One of the early owners of this structure was Andrew Disbrow, who operated a wagon shop in the structure. In 1904, the structure was purchased by a prominent resident by the name of Pat Keating, who around the turn of the last century was the largest landholder in the village. Other businesses to occupy the structure included C. H. Herbert Grocery and millinery around 1910 and the Well-Seen Restaurant (a play on the name of the owners, Ed and Gertrude Weltzien) around 1930. A harness shop may have also been located in the structure around 1907, owned by R. Krusche, but that is not known for sure. Another recognizable business to occupy the structure prior to 1922 was a Ford dealership owned by John F. Weltzien. Large, dark letters spelling "FORD" were painted in between the first and second story of the building on the Church St. side, the same side where he displayed some of his automobiles. In 1922, he constructed a new brick structure to the east of the wood building and moved his business in there. This structure, along with a later addition to the south, still stands today, with his name adorning the top.

While businesses occupied the lower level, the upper level was a large meeting hall. An early group to hold their meetings there was the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF). A later group to occupy the structure was the American Legion Post 673. Around 1940, the landmark structure burned to the ground, destroying the Well-Seen Restaurant and the original documents for the IOOF. It was also believed that the original documents from the legion's formation were lost in the fire, but supposedly the documents had been taken to a member's home sometime prior to the fire. Whether this rumor is true has yet to be proven.

In 1940, a single story brick structure replaced the destroyed landmark. This building contained a tavern, as well as a coffee shop and a barber shop. One of the barbers located at that site was Clarence Schinske, who operated his barber shop back in the 1970s.

The longest running business at that site opened in 1955. In that year, the tavern became Offie's Tap, owned by Offenheiser family. In the nearly sixty years the tavern has operated, there have been the typical ups and downs (fights, liquor license issues, stereotypes), but considering its unfortunate location, one issue brought out the worst of a town's government and the best of a town's citizens.

Around May and June of 2000, the owners, Jack and Marlene Offenheiser filed for divorce. In the divorce, Marlene, who was the third generation owner, remained proprietor of the establishment. The problem was that since the opening of Offie's, a state law went into effect stating that no business could sell liquor within 100 feet of a church. The village extended this law by passing an ordinance stating that it cannot be within 200 feet. Located directly across the street from Offie's was the First Congregational Church, which had been located at that site since 1864. The law and ordinance had no previous effect on the tavern due to the tavern being grandfathered in (the ordinance was enacted in 1992, well after the tavern opened). Once Jack and Marlene filed for divorce, however, the village saw it as a change of ownership, which in the ordinance would make the grandfather clause null and void. The village planned on shutting down the long time tavern, but the townspeople and other proponents of the tavern thought otherwise. When news of the possible closure hit the stands, supporters of the tavern came out in droves to protest the village's closure of the popular water hole. Town meetings with anything about the tavern's future saw heavier attendance than usual, and supporters took to the sidewalk in front of the tavern with handmade signs of support and sporting "Save Offie's" shirts. Even the police chief supported the tavern. Residents argued that the town had been lenient in the past with businesses, and seeing as the tap and the town had such a long standing relationship, the village should continue its leniency with the tavern. Another argument dealt with the fact that state law would not see the divorce as a reason to close the tavern. State law only required a change in corporation to rescind the grandfather clause, but a change in ownership did not qualify as grounds to strip the tavern of its status. With the backing of many in and outside of the town, and technicalities on their side, Offie's was awarded a new liquor license and was allowed to continue operation at their long time site.

Today, the 1940 brick structure still stands, and is all owned by Offie's Tap, which is still in the Offenheiser family. The 1922 John F. Weltzien building still stands and is currently owned by Anchor Pool and Spa. Two Ford "V8" symbols are still painted in the back area of the Weltzien building, reminiscent to the days long since past.