Landmark Port Hotel is back on the market

For the second time in a year, the Port Hotel is on the market.

The landmark building at 101 E. Main St., which was purchased in spring by RSF Investments LLC of Cedarburg, has garnered a great deal of interest since being placed on the market last week, Tom Didier of Re/Max United said.

“We’ve had a lot of interest and a lot of showings in the first five days,” Didier said. “I’m hopeful that’s a good sign.”

Ryan Fitting, who with his wife Sarah own RSF Investments, said when they purchased the building that they were in talks with a potential operator for both the restaurant and inn.

Last month, Fitting said that while the couple had pursued several leads for new tenants, these prospects had fallen through so they were going to clean the building out and seek a buyer.

“I’m hoping to attract a buyer that can operate the hotel and run the restaurant,” Fitting said.

The Port Hotel has a natural appeal, Didier said, in part because of its long history in the city.

The building dates back to 1835, when it was built as a hotel and tavern. It operated under various owners until the hotel closed in 1973, but the restaurant survived.

Joe Zankl purchased the Port Hotel from Dave and Debbie Wickesberg in 1997, and in 2005, he returned the business to its roots by opening the 10-room inn.

Zankl closed the restaurant in 2017, and later leased the restaurant to Ashley’s Bar-B-Que, but that proved a short-lived venture.

The inn closed its doors in 2019, and Port Washington State Bank purchased the building the following year.

“It’s certainly a one-of-a-kind building,” Didier said. “The nostalgia is there. It’s fun to show it. Everybody talks about how they celebrated major family events there. 

“This is in the heart of downtown, and downtown is experiencing a renaissance. And it’s been cared for well. The hotel rooms, you could sleep there tonight. It’s ready to go.”

The traditional restaurant fixtures are all in place as well, he added.

While the building could be used for many purposes, Didier said, “certainly I think the public would like to see it remain a restaurant and inn.”

But, he acknowledged, the restaurant business is a tough one, and the entire hospitality industry “experienced a challenge with Covid.”

Despite that, Didier said, there has been a significant amount of interest in the building, which is listed with an asking price of $750,000.

“If the early feedback is any indication, I’m hoping to have good news for the owner soon,” he said.