History of MR Roadhouse

Mark's parents, Bob and Joyce, took Mark and his 4 brothers to North Twin Lake near
Eagle River, WI every summer when they were little. In 1978, Bob and Joyce were noticeably absent
much of the 2 week trip. After checking out of North Twin Lodge, they detoured to Minocqua on the way home to Arlington Heights to show the boys "Raymond's Retreat" which they had purchased during the week.

Raymond's Retreat consisted of 100 feet of prime, gently sloped, west facing shoreline on 3,600 acre Fence Lake. Fence Lake is the largest lake in the region and is part of the 11,000 acre Lac du Flambeau chain of 10 lakes. The home on the property is comprised partly of an older portion which for years had been the registration office for the Rockaway Resort on the top floor and a resort recreation room on the walk out level. The home was added onto in the early 1970's when the resort was subdivided into 3 residential properties. Don't be surprised when folks remember the old Rockaway Resort when it's brought up over a drink at a Minocqua area watering hole.

The Raymond's began the tradition of sharing Raymond's Retreat with friends and family by donating a week of use to the St. Viator High School charity auction. Losing bidders offered to match the winning bid and years of wonderful memories for many families ensued. During the summer of 2007, Bob and Joyce decided that the trek to Minocqua from their home during retirement in Eagle Ridge (Galena, IL) was simply too much. The possibility of Mark and 1 or more of his brothers buying out Bob and Joyce had been discussed and put to bed several years ago. When Mark mentioned the situation to Bill Mitchell (the 2 have been friends since teenagers and law partners for the past several years), the M R Roadhouse, LLC partnership was born.

Bill and Mark look forward to continuing the Raymond's Fence Lake tradition and being a part of many new and enduring traditions.