By Ben Rodgers
Editor

HOBART – Safari Steakhouse at the Brown County Golf Course will be no more.

Its owners declined to renew its lease with the county which expires at the end of the year.

Scott Anthes, Brown County Golf Course superintendent said Safari Steakhouse has been part of the golf course since the clubhouse remodel in 2003.

Safari originally started in Abrams in 2000 and then owners Dan and Chad Kleinschmidt moved operations to the course full-time in 2003.

“I just reached a time in my life where I decided I wanted to venture out and try some different jobs,” said Chad Kleinschmidt, owner and chef. “I’m 37 years old, I got three young daughters at home and like anybody in the restaurant business knows it’s a lot of stress here. It’s long hours, it’s nights, weekends, holidays, I wanted to go to some of my daughters’ activities and I’m working with my dad (Dan) and he’s 62 now and he’s reached that retirement age so I felt like the timing was right.”

He said the last day for Safari Steakhouse will be just before Christmas.

“The restaurant operation is big with golfers, especially the ones looking for a few drinks and some good food afterwards and I think the steakhouse brought that for sure,” Anthes said.

Brown County is already starting efforts to replace Safari Steakhouse.

“We’ll be engaging in an effort to find someone to replace them,” said John Van Dyck, District 17 supervisior and chair of the county Education and Recreation Committee. “So our anticipation would be we will be able to find another party that would be able to come in and operate this facility.”

Hobart Village Administrator Aaron Kramer said it’s never good to see a dining option leave the village.

“We hate to see any business anywhere in Hobart make the decision to end operations,” Kramer said. “Having a diverse choice of eating establishments for all our residents is an important component to quality of life for Hobart.”

While sad to see it go, Anthes said this a good opportunity for someone looking to operate a restaurant with little capital.

The lease would include the space and all the kitchen equipment.

“Anybody that’s looking for pretty much a turnkey operation without a lot of overhead for themselves, this is a great chance to put together something,” he said.

Chad Kleinschmidt said the county and golf course staff was great to work with and whoever fills the spot can make it succeed with hard work.

“As long as they have the experience and the knowledge and are willing to take on the responsibility to take on a restaurant, I think they can succeed out here,” he said.