Bonnie & Betty's Bar & Restaurant

Story

In February of 1911, W.G. Naille bought the store building , in which the bank was started by August Falk. He moved the building to the West and then purchased the ice cream and confectionery business of C.J. Robson. As a caterer, he opened an ice cream parlor and restaurant by November of that same year. Naille’s Ice Cream Parlor and Pool Room added a dance floor in the basement. By 1914 he was building a two story building along the same street. In 1923, Mr. Ross Beecher and Mr. Henry Robers purchased Naille’s, formed a partnership and moved the barber shop to Naille block. Mr. Beecher sold out his interest to Mr. Robers in 1931. Mr. Robers proceeded to remove the small garage between the ice cream parlor and the Blacksmith shop and construct a bar in the early 40’s. He later installed a new maple floor in the ballroom. It soon became the hot spot, on Saturday nights, with folks traveling from Burlington to listen and dance to the music of Earl Jack and his orchestra and a local group of musicians, The Silver Derby Orchestra. Gus and Lorraine Wuttke operated the establishment from 1952-1957 having purchased the business from Mr. Heinie (Henry) Robers. Wuttke’s were succeeded by Otto and Hazel Borgenhagen who sold to Merlin Johnson and his partner Percy Byron in 1972. Bonnie and Betty’s named after the owner’s wives has been operated by Merlin and Yvonne(Bonnie) since their purchase. Bonnie and Merle brought back the live music during the 70’s and 80’s, offering Sunday jam sessions and Lyons’ very own band “The Country Grass” on Saturday evenings. Friday Night Fish Frys and a sandwich menu were added in the late 70’s.