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Menasha Businesses Reeling After EF-3 Tornado Strike
28 Jul
Summary
- An estimated EF-3 tornado caused widespread destruction across Menasha.
- Manderfield's Home Bakery in Menasha was declared a total loss.
- Several local restaurants and bars sustained heavy damage or were destroyed.
An EF-3 tornado struck the Fox Cities region on July 27, causing extensive damage, particularly in Menasha, Neenah, and the Appleton area.
Manderfield's Home Bakery, a Menasha fixture for 30 years, was reduced to "a total loss" according to a social media post. The business’s owner expressed devastation over the loss of the building, which held decades of memories. Importantly, all five staff members working at the time were able to shelter safely in the basement and were unharmed.
Other businesses also faced severe impacts. Chef Fresh Pizza experienced significant damage, losing its front entrance, windows, and equipment. Its future is now unclear as the owners assess rebuilding feasibility. Plank Road Pub was destroyed, while Tony's Bar lost a quarter of its roof. Chicago's House of Hoagies reported the loss of all inventory and will remain closed indefinitely.
Despite the widespread destruction to properties, a common thread among all affected businesses is the relief that no lives were lost. Owners and employees were safe, with many focusing on community support and assessing the extensive damage. While some locations like Manderfield's have remaining branches open, the future for many of these Menasha establishments remains uncertain as they navigate insurance and rebuilding processes.
