Bill Henderson, the driving force behind the new hot rod garage-themed bar and grill cruising into south Rochester, says his project, Fat Willy's , is getting into gear.
"We're started now," he says of the construction. "Away we go. I'm excited. I'm ready to go on this."
The eatery is being tuned up in a commercial building across from the Wehrenberg Galaxy 14 Cine Theatersin the Shoppes on Mainedevelopment along U.S. 63 South.
Thursday is his last day managing the Mayo Civic Center concessions for Canadian Honkerowner Joe Powers. Henderson, who is retired from Mayo Clinic, has worked with Powers since he opened the Honker in 1985.
After wrapping up all of those years working for Powers, he is shifting into the fast lane with his own place, which he is naming after the classic 1941 Willys Coupe, as well as his own silhouette.
ADVERTISEMENT
Fat Willy's is now speeding toward an opening in November, possibly on Thanksgiving weekend. Henderson's Iowa buddies are rolling into the Med City that weekend. Because they couldn't get tickets to watch the Hawkeyes play the University of Minnesota, he hopes to be able to park them at Fat Willy's to watch the college football clash.
