On April 22, 1933, Mr. and Mrs. Matt Meress purchased the building at the Brule curve on U.S. 2 and opened a tavern. It was to be known as “Matt’s Tavern.”

Two years later, Matt and Emaline “Babe” chose to move into Florence, occupying the former Dooley Tavern on Central Avenue. They continued to call it Matt’s, making renovations to the bar that included adding electric refrigeration to keep refreshments cold, and adding booths and tables to accommodate their customers.

With three empty lots where Tully’s Opera House once stood on the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Cyclops Street, the Meresses decided to expand. On Aug. 16, 1941, they purchased the Old Stager two-story section house with contractor Miench of Iron Mountain hired to move the building. By October of 1941, a new cement basement had been added, new siding, and plumbing/electrical work finished. The second floor was converted to living quarters for the couple. The article in the Florence Mining News stated “the business has added to the beauty and commercial life of our main thoroughfare.”

However, one day before hunting season on the morning of Nov. 11, 1946, an alarm of fire summoned the Florence Fire Company to Matt’s Tavern. As “Honey” Rasmussen (Nau) and Matt were serving drinks to the 25 customers, smoke was noted coming from the heater. Attempts to quench the fire by several of the men proved fruitless. Old newspaper articles tell of the fire being “the most stubborn fire the company ever contended with.” The estimated loss by Matt was $40,000.

Matt's Tavern in Florence, Wis., after a fire in November 1946. (Photo provided by the Florence Historical Museum)

The Meresses would not give up their business. They placed a false roof over the bar-room, installed an oil burner until spring, when they could remove the ruins and build a substantial cinder block fire-proof one-story building on the same site.

Thus, the one-story building on that same corner was constructed. It featured a new 52-foot knotty pine bar and back bar, being the longest in Florence County at that time. A complete kitchen and bar room with booths and tables held locals and visitors alike.

Matt’s was well-known for their Friday night fish fry.

Living quarters were also in the building.

On Oct. 31, 1963, after 30 years in the tavern business, Matt and Babe retired and sold to Matt Kennedy. The bar still retained that name.

The rebuilt Matt's Tavern in Florence, Wis. (Photo provided by the Florence Historical Museum)

Over the years since, the business has been sold several times, with name changes. It became Justy’s, Black Bear and in 2012 became Tavern on Central.

All former and present owners serve the same fish fry and expanded menus to serve food and drinks to all locals and visitors to the community.

The last photo is the Tavern on Central today.

The Tavern on Central, once Matt's Tavern, as it looks today. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)