The Gobbler Theater, the Jetsons-era, turkey-shaped supper club off I-94 in Johnson Creek, is on track to reopen this summer under a new ownership group after years of uncertainty. The plan is to relaunch the circular domed room as a performance venue for live music, comedy and community events.
New Owners, Fresh Cash Infusion
A group led by general manager Jon Kaiser joined investors Jim Weatherly, Nidhi Mishra and Paul Bensman in acquiring and investing roughly $1.2 million in the property, according to OnMilwaukee. The owners told the outlet they plan to program country, classic rock, jazz, tribute and cover bands, along with stand-up and variety shows, when the doors reopen. Organizers say much of the sound and seating infrastructure is already in place and have described the space as close to “turnkey.”
Booking, Not Building, Is The Work Now
“Pretty much getting the acts booked,” is how Kaiser summed up the remaining to-do list in comments to OnMilwaukee. He added that an opening date remains flexible and that the team would rather wait for a strong first weekend than rush a soft launch, calling mid-June a “loose goal” while bookings and final prep continue.
Village Signs Off On Permits And Programming
In a news post, the Village of Johnson Creek says the new operator has applied for a liquor license and a conditional-use permit as part of the relaunch, and it frames the reopening as an opportunity to support local tourism and nearby businesses. The village notice highlights intended offerings including live concerts, comedy nights, sports-viewing parties and private events.
Midcentury Oddity That Will Not Stay Closed
Designed by Fort Atkinson architect Helmut Ajango and opened in 1969, the 16,544-square-foot Gobbler is known for its domed, turkey-like silhouette and a circular bar that completes a full rotation in about 80 minutes. The building was converted into a live-music theater in 2015 after a multi-million-dollar renovation removed the suspended “Roost” dining floor and added stadium seating; the venue reopened in December 2015 but later closed during the pandemic and changed hands, per historical records and reporting on Wikipedia.
What To Watch Next
The Gobbler’s official site currently lists contact information but no upcoming events on the venue calendar, according to the theater’s page at gobblertheater.com. The new team says it will announce its first slate and ticketing only once permits, staffing and shows are locked; in the meantime, the building’s revolving bar and pink-and-purple interior are back on the table as a regional draw. For updates and inquiries, the theater’s contact details remain listed on the venue website.
