Wausau committee approves multiple license requests, grants 90-day extension for Truly’s eatery

The Wausau Public Health and Safety Committee on Sept. 15 approved a package of routine license recommendations from staff, granted a 90‑day extension to open for Truly’s eatery and bar at 1810 Merrill Avenue, and approved temporary premise extensions for two downtown businesses ahead of a street-block event.

The committee also voted to waive a financial judgment so the city can issue a bartender/operator license to Christopher Kron despite an outstanding balance, and approved minutes and staff-recommended event licenses.

The package matter matters because these routine approvals and extensions affect neighborhood events, local businesses’ timelines to open, and the city’s licensing enforcement practice.

Committee members moved and seconded several procedural items before taking the business votes. Committee member Watson moved to accept the minutes and to approve staff-recommended licenses; Lukens seconded those motions. Representative Lee, speaking for Truly’s, told the committee that remodeling uncovered “floors rotting” and two layers of wallpaper the team had to remove and that the work was “taking us way longer than we expected.” Lee said the owners were “hoping the October and then early November” timeframe for opening but asked for extra time given unexpected conditions.

The committee granted a 90‑day extension to open Truly’s to allow the owners additional time for construction and safety work. Matt Brewer, agent for Matt’s 101 Pub, said his Elm Street block‑party event is in its third year and that “we've not had any problems or issues to date,” and the committee approved temporary premise extensions for Matt’s 101 Pub (101 N. Third Ave.) and Chatterbox (102 S. Second Ave.) to allow their annual block event.

On a separate licensing item, staff described a typical practice of withholding license issuance while outstanding municipal balances remain. The committee considered a request to waive that withholding so an individual could obtain a bartender/operator license despite an outstanding city balance of approximately $1,700 in the record packet; committee members approved the waiver in the license applicant’s absence.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes (08/18/2025): Motion to approve carried (motion: Watson; second: Lukens; outcome: approved). - Acceptance of staff‑recommended event licenses (class B / class C / picnic licenses for multiple events including Sip & Stroll, Empty Bowls, Turkey Trot): Motion carried (motion: Watson; second: Lukens; outcome: approved). - Truly’s (1810 Merrill Ave.) — 90‑day extension to open for business: Motion carried (motion: Lukens; second: Watson; outcome: approved). - Matt’s 101 Pub (101 N. Third Ave.) — temporary extension of premise for annual block event: Motion carried (motion: Watson; second: Lukens; outcome: approved). - Chatterbox (102 S. Second Ave.) — temporary extension of premise for annual block event: Motion carried (motion: Watson; second: Lukens; outcome: approved). - Waiver of financial judgment for issuance of bartender/operator license to Christopher Kron: Motion carried (motion: Lukens; second: Watson; outcome: approved).

Committee discussion repeatedly noted that extensions are granted to allow construction and safety work to be completed, and that the city typically holds licenses until significant balances are paid but will consider waivers in hardship cases. The applicant for the waiver, Christopher Kron, did not appear at the meeting. Committee members said licenses issued now would align with the city’s licensing year (renewing July 1) and urged follow up if balances persist into the next licensing year.

The committee closed the agenda item after the votes and thanked the applicants.