Bark & Brew closes its door, UW-Green Bay gains sweet advisor
The good week, bad week and other news round up for the week from our Oct. 28, 2021 issue
By John McCracken
Good week for: Local, budding entrepreneurial chocolatiers
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Austin E. Cofrin School of Business announced a new member to its business advisory board—Mars Retail CFO Luc Francillon.
Luc Francillon is a CFO of Mars Retail Group. He graduated from UW-Green Bay in 1991.
Mars Retail Group is the retail marketing company behind candy favorites such as M&M’s, Twix and Snickers.
“Even working within a big corporation, I find I’m drawn to the entrepreneurial ventures that allow me to make the greatest impact,” Francillon said in a statement. “I enjoy being part of building something, and I plan to bring that insight to the Cofrin School of Business Advisory Board.”
The UW-Green Bay advisory board contains no more than 15 external members alongside UW-Green Bay leadership. The board provides networking opportunities and partnerships for the university and students.
Cofrin School of Business Dean Matt Dornbush said bringing Francillon onboard will help current and former students in their career goals.
“His leadership on the board will help guide the enhancement of our international programming and inspire our students to take smart risks and recognize challenges as opportunities,” Dornbush said in a statement.
Francillon has previous experience working with sweet-tooth food brands such as Dean Foods and Dreyers’ Grand Ice Cream.
Bad week for: Beer-loving dog owners
Bark & Brew, the Suamico bar and dog park hybrid announced the closure of its current location at 2310 Lineville Rd.
According to the business’s Facebook page, the property it leases was recently purchased and the new owners are planning a restaurant and bowling alley in the space Bark & Brew occupies.
Since the bar owners announced the closure, online support has exploded for their location. A GoFundMe page was created by Lesley Wiegel, the sister of current owner Tara Brunette.
“The abrupt forced closure is not only heartbreaking to our Bark crew but also very devastating to many customers and their dogs,” Brunette said.
According to the online donation page, funds raised will go towards a new location, staffing and other logistical needs as the owners start the search for a permanent location.
As of publication, the page has raised almost $3,000 of its $200,000 goal.
John McCracken is the Editor of Green Bay City Pages. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @jmcjmc451