Build a Mars Cheese Castle Restaurant, and They Will Come

On the stretch of I-94 that connects two cities, Chicago and Milwaukee, you’ll find a castle.

Inside the castle, you’ll find stained glass, knight’s armor, a perfectly set feasting table fit for a king inside the wine room, and a giant talking cow named Isabel that rattles off cheese-themed trivia.

You’ll find everything inside this roadside attraction that makes Wisconsin “America’s Dairyland”!

Creating an attractive and engaging restaurant theme is one of the most efficient ways to drive more customers to your business.

Mars Cheese Castle has undoubtedly accomplished this!

Your Theme Is Your Identity

It is how you connect with your customer on a personal level and how you deliver appetite satisfaction. With stiff competition in the restaurant and food business, it is challenging for a restaurant to thrive.

So one of the most efficient ways to drive more customers to your business is by creating an attractive and engaging restaurant theme.

The importance of how a restaurant looks, feels, and represents its brand and location, is essential.

Build a Mars Cheese Castle Restaurant, and They Will Come

In addition to a cheese shop, there is a restaurant.

You can get locally made bratwurst, Reubens, grilled cheese made with aged Wisconsin cheddar, or fried cheese curds.

Wisconsin is also known for its beer and meat; you’ll find all these and more inside the 25,000-square-foot attraction.

The bar also offers an excellent selection of local beers, including an exclusive Red Planet ale from Milwaukee’s Lakefront Brewery.

The Cheese Shop Has Been Run By a Family for Three Generations

Mario and Martha Ventura opened a cheese shop in 1947 in an old schoolhouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The couple, who dreamed of owning a castle, added a tavern to the establishment and found success.

Over the decades, the business expanded, opening an adjacent cheese-themed motel. It also caught fire and had to be relocated.

In the early 2000s, the state of Wisconsin notified the Ventura family that they had to, once again, move the shop because of the expansion of the Interstate.

The family decided to finally build the castle that Mario and Martha had dreamed about.

The 25,000-square-foot castle is run by Mario and Martha’s grandson Michael Ventura. He continues to offer over 700 different kinds of cheese. Though there are cheeses from all over the world, the best-sellers are from local Wisconsin farms.

Have you established a theme for restaurants?

Will it attract the audience you want?

If you need guidance in creating your restaurant theme check out my book!