Future unknown for Al's Hamburger Shop

GREEN BAY - For a place known for its regulars, the customers of Al's Hamburger Shop say the restaurant was anything but the usual.

“It was like a crazy museum of diner-ness and stuff,” said Norb Rozek, who guesses he has been eating at Al’s for more than 40 years. “It had the atmosphere of humidity and onions.”

Firefighters responded a fire at the restaurant at about 5 p.m. Saturday. Officials estimate it caused about $50,000 in damage and the business is likely a total loss.

“The thing about a place like Al's is it's kind of like Cheers you know, everybody knows your name,” said Mary Jane Herber, a historian for the Brown County Library.

Al's history had people stopping by the restaurant throughout the day on Sunday. Most of them saying Al's was anywhere from a monthly to a daily stop.

“Everybody was more than friendly, welcoming, sharing sections of the newspaper across the counter,” said Chip Thome, who says he has been going to Al’s since the 1980s.

“It's small, it's cozy, a lot of familiar faces,” said Kyle Koch, who says he is at Al’s about three times a week. “A lot of the same people everyday that just come to drink coffee and just socialize and eat good food.”

The wife of the owner of Al's tells FOX 11 her husband is still shook up about the fire that destroyed the long-time restaurant.

“The nostalgia and the sentimental component, when you lose a business like Al's Hamburger it hurts,” said Jeff Mirkes, the executive director for Downtown Green Bay Inc.

When it comes to rebuilding, Al's customers say they have a few orders.

“It's got to be here, it's got to have the window, it's got to have a stool inside the window,” said Thome. “It's got to look just like that. That's Al's.”

Until a decision is made on the future of Al's Hamburger Shop, its regular customers have a tough decision of their own: where to go for breakfast.

“I don't know, that is a good question,” said Koch.

Steven Rank, the manager and son of owner George Rank, says he has received various calls about potential options for Al's Hamburger shop in the future. He says it is too early to elaborate on any plans.