Stroebels aim to keep Circle B Recreation alive

When he was younger, Duey Stroebel said, he used to bowl at Circle B Recreation Center at the intersection of Highways 60 and I in the Town of Cedarburg.

As a parent, he used to bring his children to Circle B for parties and events.

Today, he and his wife Laura, who live in the Town of Cedarburg, own the facility and are looking for an operator to run the recreation center, which includes a 24-lane bowling alley, banquet hall and party rooms, bar, restaurant, volleyball court and horseshoe pits.

Stroebel, a former state representative and representative and a real estate agent, said the couple are in talks with several potential operators with one goal in mind — to keep Circle B running as it always has been run.

“That’s our No. 1 priority,” he said.

That’s why, in addition to purchasing the property and building, Stroebel said, he and his wife also bought the name, business, furnishings, website and Facebook page.

“We bought it lock, stock and bar,” he said.

Stroebel said he and his wife purchased Circle B from Mark and Deb Klotz for “just under $2 million” last week.

Mark Klotz, he said, was a second-generation owner of the business, which began in the 1970s, who decided the time was right to retire.

In an announcement on Circle B’s Facebook page, Klotz said, “After many years of strikes, spares, leagues, birthday parties, and great memories, Circle B Recreation in Cedarburg has permanently closed.

“Thank you to everyone who walked through our doors over the years. We are grateful for the friendships, laughter and community that made Circle B such a special place. Whether you bowled in a league, celebrated a birthday, or just stopped in for a fun night out, thank you for being part of our story.

“The lanes may be quiet now, but the memories will last forever.”

Those memories include everything from wedding receptions and birthday parties to bowling and dart leagues.

It was the home of dances and expos, as well as private parties and special events such as professional wrestling shows and model train shows

The business, which was running until the sale was completed last week, had been for sale since 2022, Stroebel said.

Stroebel said one reason he and his wife decided to buy the business is its history in the community.

“We thought it was a great community icon,” he said. “It’s a great institution ... an established business in a very strong marketplace.”

Stroebel said he hopes that whoever operates the facility in the future retains the name and operations as in the past.

“It’s up to the new operator, but I think it would be in the operator’s best interest not to change the name,” he said, especially since the recreation center has a long history in the area.

“I think it’s a great facility.”