The $10 million plan to turn an old Paoli cheese factory into a tourism hotspot

A creamery built in 1888 along the banks of the Sugar River is getting a total makeover for the future
Construction is underway on a new, $10 million renovation project along a 7.5 acre section of the Sugar River in downtown Paoli.
Published: Apr. 6, 2022 at 11:09 AM CDT|Updated: Apr. 6, 2022 at 10:17 PM CDT
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PAOLI, Wis. (WMTV) -Construction is underway on a new, $10 million renovation project along a 7.5 acre section of the Sugar River in downtown Paoli. Crews are busy converting an old cheese factory built in 1888 into a tourism hotspot.

“This building is a treasure,” said Nic Mink.

Mink and his wife Danika purchased the building back in the fall of 2021. “Our goal was to be able to restore this building -- preserve this building -- so it can have another 100 years,”

For nearly 100 years, the Paoli Dairy Cooperative made cheese in the building.

Workers move massive wheels of cheese at the old Paoli Dairy Cooperative
Workers move massive wheels of cheese at the old Paoli Dairy Cooperative(Nic Minc)

“This building has always had an incredibly important place in the Paoli community, the southern Dane County community, and really in the history of Wisconsin’s dairy industry,” said Mink.

In the more recent past, the building was used for various small businesses. Some small apartments also existed near the back of the property.

Mink plans to completely transform the space into a restaurant, café, and an eight-room boutique hotel. Crews are also busy clearing the property outside the building of brush and trees. The goal is for the property to one day host large events too, like weddings. They’re calling it Seven Acre Dairy Company.

A look at the future plans for a restaurant and cafe
A look at the future plans for a restaurant and cafe(Nic Minc)

“We want people to be sitting here and drinking beers and drinking cocktails and enjoying ice cream and enjoying a meal overlooking the Sugar River,” said Mink.

While the plans call for a total overhaul of the property, Mink is also trying to preserve the cheesy history. It’s a space that has sentimental value to many people in the community.

“The thing that made the biggest difference to me and wife is when we talked to local people and they’d say ‘my grandpa delivered milk to this creamery’ or ‘I mowed the lawn at this creamery,” said Mink.

To honor the past, Mink is bringing in Landmark Creamery to operate a micro-plant out of the building. They will make and sell butter and ice cream.

“Everyone is really excited. It’s going to bring regional, if not national recognition,” said Anna Thomas Bates, owner of Landmark Creamery.

Landmark is located just down the street and is in the process of expanding their headquarters as well. Thomas Bates says Paoli is taking things to the next level to keep people coming back

“You get that small town feel, you get a lot of history, and there is so much going on. You can easily spend a whole day here and have a wonderful time,” she said.

The sign outside the Seven Acre Dairy Company along the Sugar River in downtown Paoli
The sign outside the Seven Acre Dairy Company along the Sugar River in downtown Paoli(Tim Elliott)

“We just love the community of Paoli,” said the 42-year-old Mink. He and Danika have two daughters and another baby on the way. “I mean it’s so unique that you have this 1870s, 1880s like small town Wisconsin village that is still largely been preserved,”

Right now, the project is in the early stages of demolition and construction. Mink says he’s hoping to have Seven Acre open by Thanksgiving of 2022.

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