Business & Tech

Updated: Panther Pub and Eatery Planned for Village Center

A village native plans to bring a Greendale athletics-themed pub and eatery to the old Associated Bank Building in the Village Center.

A Greendale athletics-themed pub and eatery could open in the Village Center sometime next summer.

Panther Pub and Eatery would be at the old Associated Bank building on Broad Street.

Greendale native and would-be owner Mike Drilling says he’s still in the process of purchasing the building from Associated Bank but everything is looking good. A special request permit has been submitted to the Village of Greendale for exterior and interior renovations.

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Drilling says he always envisioned a Panther-themed restaurant. As a Greendale High School graduate and eight-year assistant baseball coach, Drilling wants this restaurant to be a source a fundraising for various Greendale non-profits, especially Greendale High School organizations.

“I like to joke that I’m a capitalist first and a philanthropist second,” Drilling said.

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One example of the type of local fundraiser he could see at the Panther Pub would be a promoted night where members of an organization could wait tables at the restaurant for a night, and keep the tips.

“The economy is tough and non-profits are struggling,” Drilling said. “It’s hard to raise money. Football, dance, theater, poms are all near and dear to a lot of people in Greendale.”

Drilling said the menu would be simple with good and consistent food.

This will be Drilling’s first restaurant but says he’s been in business for many years. His background is mostly in property management, car repair, sales and service.

When renovations are complete, Drilling said, the restaurant will take up the whole first level. If Drilling's plan goes through, the existing first-floor tenant would have to move. Other tenants currently rent space on the second floor, and Drilling said he has no immediate plans to end those leases. 

The Village Board referred permit application to the Planning Commission.


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