Ending of an era

January 11, 2018

1370

Longtime downtown liquor store closes Sunday

BY EILEEN PERSIKE
Editor

The House of Spirits has been a fixture in downtown Rhinelander since 1957. For nearly 50 years, customers could count on seeing Mark Wittock and Denny Annis behind the counter.

“My dad opened the store in 1957,” said Wittock. “Denny went to work for him in 1967. I came back in ’70 and Denny and I incorporated the business and have been working together ever since.”

This particular era is coming to an end this weekend. The building has been sold to a Madison couple with ties to Rhinelander, Wittock said, adding the building will be gutted and restored to its original form, which he believes dates back to the 1920s. Wittock and Annis will lock the doors for the final time Jan. 14.

“It’s been very good to us and we appreciate all our customers and great friends,” Annis said.

The store is open 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.