Maureen Wallenfang
Appleton Post-Crescent
Published 12:18 PM EST Feb 19, 2019
Reader question: I’m hungry for Christianos. Do you know when they are going to open in Appleton?
Answer: The family that owns Christianos Pizza originally hoped for a January opening, but is now looking at a delay of several months.
The pizzeria is taking the 2400 S. Kensington Drive strip mall’s end spot, previously home to the Refuge Lounge, and before that Red & White. That’s on Appleton’s east side.
“The Refuge Lounge took longer than expected to move out,” said Christianos’ Paul Wise, one of the second-generation family owners. “April is our new target for opening.”
Christianos Pizza has been a staple in Wautoma for more than two decades. It’s known for its brick ovens and thin, crispy crusts.
In the meantime, if you need a fix and are willing to drive, go to the Wautoma, Green Lake, Oshkosh or Fond du Lac locations. See christianospizza.com for details.
Reader question: Do you know what is going to be built near the corner of County E and EE four miles north of 41 off Ballard Road on E? Heavy equipment on site and excavation has started.
Answer: That’s the start of a new residential subdivision called Apple Ridge in the city of Appleton. It’s a planned community of single family homes that will have a clubhouse with a pool and fitness center.
The developer, Apple Tree, has other single family and condominium communities in the Green Bay, De Pere and Appleton areas. This development is not yet listed on its website, appletree-homes.com.
Reader question: Noticed what I assume is the former Best Western on College now has a temporary sign that says Clarion. What can you find out?
Answer: The hotel at 3033 W. College Ave. in Grand Chute switched brands. It was known for decades as Best Western Midway and, going way back, as the Midway Motor Lodge.
It’s now called the Clarion Inn Appleton.
“Same owner, same staff. We just converted to Choice Hotels and this is one of their brands,” said manager Patrick Merklein. “It’s a stronger brand for us to serve the community better.”
The hotel is owned and operated by Vision Hospitality. Rooms are booked at choicehotels.com.
Merklein said new signs are on order, and upgrades to guest rooms, bathrooms and the indoor pool and atrium will be done gradually.
The hotel previously operated the restaurant, bar and banquet rooms attached to the front of the building. Two years ago, those portions were leased to a separate business, The Mad Apple Burger & Billiard Co.
Reader question: What are they doing in the old Chase Bank in Freedom?
Answer: The former Chase Bank at N3980 Columbia Ave. in Freedom was sold to its next-door neighbor, the Family Insurance Center.
“We’ve outgrown our location in the building next door,” said Darrin Van Camp, partner in the Family Insurance Center agency with his brother Chad Van Camp and third partner Eric DeBruin. “This opportunity came up and we jumped on it.”
F.I.C. Properties bought the building for $225,000 in July, according to state records.
The independent agency offers home, auto, business and farm insurance. It has seven offices in the greater Fox Valley. The agency is based in Seymour and will move its headquarters to this Freedom building when it’s ready in June.
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