A home away from home for Packers fans

WFRV News

Story Created: Jan 21, 2011 at 9:43 PM CST

Story Updated: Jan 21, 2011 at 10:22 PM CST
CHICAGO, Ill. (WFRV) -- For fans heading to Chicago for the big game there is a place that feels like a home away from home.

While sitting in a Chicago bar nearly 20 years ago, Wisconsin native John Bunge realized he missed his home state's taverns.

"It dawned on me this bar here was similar in appearance to all the bars i frequented in northern Wisconsin," Bunge said. "It had the wood paneling, all it needed was some dead animals."

So he bought the bar and began filling it with moose head, stuffed musky, and Packers memorabilia, everything that reminded him of Wisconsin and called it Will's Northwoods Inn.

"Its modeled after the Moccasin Inn in Hayward Wisconsin," Bunge said. "The effort was to make it something that people in Wisconsin would feel comfortable in."

Its no surprise Will's Northwoods Inn has become the bar for Packers fans who watch a Packers game in the Chicago area.

"Its as close to a game day experience as you can get, they have the go Pack go chant, there's a half time raffle and anywhere from 200-300 Packers fans every weekend," said Nate Meyers, a Packers fan from Chicago. "Its just a great experience, I've made a lot of friends here."

Will's even serves up some of Packers fans favorite cuisine. "We obviously do the beer brats, fried cheese curds we do Wisconsin bloody Mary's," said Kevin Kruse, a Will's employee.

On Saturday, Packers player Jermichael Finley will be at Will's Northwoods Inn from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. signing autographs and meeting fans.

Chelly Boutott reports.