WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Plans for an indoor green space event center and natural syrup and produce market at the Wausau Chemical site were approved by the city’s economic development committee on Tuesday.
Mathew Aschbrenner says Infused would bring a new option to the area for indoor events and gatherings in a natural setting along with a bar-like setting for those who like a good mocktail.
“I have been to enough botanical gardens to realize that Wausau really should have one because we have winter all the time,” said Aschbrenner. “We have Evolutions, but you go there to shop. You don’t go there to sit and relax.”
He says their model would combine an indoor event space capable of hosting a small wedding or business gathering with a bar serving mocktails with syrups and produce grown year-round on-site. “People like sitting and drinking things. Usually, it’s coffee. But I think if people were to have a space to sit and drink mocktails, especially on a cold winter day in a space that’s warm and tropical, people would want to do that.”
“There is a need for it in the area. And I feel if you do it well enough people will want to come,” he added.
Aschbrenner says he’d like to be able to manufacture and distribute the syrups locally along with selling them on-site. He could also see ramping up the manufacturing for wider distribution.
He expects to close the deal with the city in July with construction beginning immediately this summer. A soft opening could be held in early 2023. The first big event at Infused could be a Kentucky Derby party in early May featuring mint julep mocktails.
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