BOSCOBEL - Will Connely knows the ins and outs of Boscobel Bowl & Banquet, after all, he’s been cooking there since he was 21 years old. So when longtime owners Jan Richter and her brother Stacey Karsten decided to sell the popular Boscobel establishment on July 1—26 years to the day since they bought it from Quent and Gloria Hurtz, they couldn’t think of a better buyer.

“He’s been around here a longtime, he’ll be fine,” Stacey said.

Will’s already off to a good start. He’s a specialist at smoking fine meats with hickory, apple and cherry wood, and served up smoked pulled pork sandwiches at his grand opening on the Fourth of July. His smoked pastrami reubens are to die for and was his daily special Wednesday. His beef brisket is a special treat and is smoked for up to 12 hours on his two smokers in the back parking lot.

“I’ll be adding daily specials, but I won’t be changing anything else,” said the 34-year-old former manager of Casey’s General Store.

Currently, lunch specials will be offered on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesdays through Fridays he will open at 5:00. Connely will also be offering takeouts and curbside pickup. For more information, give him a call at 375-2200.

Bowling leagues will hopefully begin again after Labor Day. All bowling was limited to 10 people or less following Gov. Evers’ March 17 Safer at Home order, but those restrictions have now been lifted.

“There are no limitations in Grant County right now,” Connely said. “There are recommendations we will be following, but my advice is that if you don’t feel safe, don’t come out.”

Jan retired a few months ago, but Stacey plans on helping Will out with maintenance and other chores and finishing up some paperwork associated with the coronavirus shutdown and product returns. He and his wife Mary plan on spending a lot of time at their camper in Prairie du Chien.