Parking a Concern for Krueger's Arcade Expansion

Parking was a central point of discussion Tuesday as the owner of Krueger’s Entertainment Center went before the village to request permission to add more arcade devices to his business.

Krueger's owner, David J. Krueger, would like to re-design the existing arcade area within the building. Plans call for the addition of new entertainment devices and a prize redemption counter. The pool tables have been removed and dartboards would be relocated. Krueger’s sought permission to have up to 50 such electronic entertainment gaming devices.

He hopes to expand his business through parties and fundraisers.

“There isn’t a resort in the Wisconsin Dells that doesn’t have electronic games like we want to add. This isn’t Pinball Jacks, it’s going to be family oriented,” Krueger said. “We want to better who we are, and cater to our customers.”

Krueger said the removal of the pool tables is one step toward disassociating themselves from the label of just being a bar. They want to be a full restaurant and family entertainment center.

Parking Problem 

Although the Plan Commission ultimately approved his request, it was with several conditions. One of the main points of concern for commissioners and a business owner was parking overflow issues at Krueger’s. It’s been an ongoing issue for some time in the shopping center.

“Parking is a huge issue. Now they are talking parties and fundraisers? That means more people. Krueger’s has never been helpful about helping us with the problem,” said Sharon Whitman, owner of Pop’s Frozen Custard.  “I’m a small business and I depend on sales less than $5, and I need the parking that I pay for.

There are still problems there. I have evidence from a police report that a minor had been served there. These are genuine problems that I have experienced.”

Krueger admitted there was a violation after a sting by the police department, which he handled with staff. However, he added that he does have good relations with the majority of other business owners in the center.

“A majority of the other businesses in the center are my customers. We support each other. We work together. I understand there are issues. We’ve been here for 60 years,” Krueger said. “There is a parking issue. I understand that. There has been in the past.”

The Plan Commission added requirements to Krueger’s, which require employees monitor the lot to make sure their customers are not parking in other business owner’s spaces.

“The burden is on you to not use other people’s property for your business,” Village President Randy Newman said. “We want all our businesses to be successful. We don’t want to be in a situation where we are towing and ticketing your customers.”

Commissioner Tim Newman also suggested Krueger look to purchase land and expand his parking in the near future.

“Let’s say this goes great and you double your business, and now you do have a parking issue? What are you doing to try to looking the are for other places to put a parking lot?” Tim Newman said. “I know an exact area where you can put one. You can buy that house on the corner, knock it down, and put parking there?”

Krueger said he would consider speaking to the owner of the property, Bill Bode, to see if he would be interested in selling. Bode owns Brayton Management Company in Brookfield.

The Plan Commission also added conditions to the permit requiring an employee who is 18 years or older to supervise the redemption center. They also added a condition limiting the children’s games to a designated area of the business.