West Wind determined to continue annual tradition

RIVER FALLS – The West Wind Supper Club isn’t going to let a kitchen fire stop its annual Christmas Breakfast benefiting the Free Clinic of Pierce & St. Croix Counties. It’s too important to owner Tony Leone and his staff.

River Falls Fire Department responded to the fire at 7:08 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Leone said they believe the fire started from grease inside the flat top griddle.

“It did take out other pieces of equipment and surrounding structure, but we are very thankful it did not spread beyond our main kitchen,” Leone said. “Anyone standing in the lounge or dining room would never know it even happened.”

The fire occurred the morning of the West Wind’s Breakfast with Santa. Fortunately, a separate catering kitchen used for the River Valley Catering side of the business was not affected. Staff moved their preparations to the catering kitchen, pulled together and the event went off as planned.

“We had customers who, after seeing the post on social media about the fire and the restaurant closing, said they had no idea what was happening behind the scenes because everything seemed normal,” Leone said. “I give my team a lot of credit for making the experience a great one for guests despite what was happening behind the scenes.”

While the main kitchen is not usable yet and the restaurant is closed temporarily, Leone and his staff will use the catering kitchen again for the free annual Christmas Day breakfast. Free-will donations collected that day go to the Free Clinic of Pierce & St. Croix Counties. The Free Clinic fills a true need in the community, Leone said. That’s why the breakfast must go on.

“Since 2007, the Free Clinic has been providing healthcare for the growing number of residents without health insurance in Pierce and St. Croix Counties who have no health care alternative,” Leone said. “This is the 11th year for this event. In that time, we’ve raised over $100,000 for the Free Clinic!”

The pandemic forced the restaurant to shift to takehome breakfasts in 2020 and 2021, so this is the first in-person event in three years. The West Wind didn’t want to let the Free Clinic and was relieved to be able to hold the event in some capacity.

“The community rallied around us and continued to support it,” Leone said of the pandemic. “However, this year we are really looking forward to welcoming everyone back to the West Wind dining room to continue the tradition. There’s just something great about coming together for a great cause.”

Leone said he inherited the event when he purchased the restaurant from Kevin Pechacek. The Free Clinic’s mission was close to his heart and he wanted to help them in any way he could. During that time, Leone was working for Pechacek and learned what the event truly meant to the community and the nonprofit organization.

“When I became owner in 2016 there was never a question in my mind – I knew we would continue this event at West Wind,” he said.

Because of the fire, the restaurant wasn’t able to host its graduation buffet for UW-River Falls graduates and their families. However, the Christmas Breakfast has a menu similar to the Santa Breakfast, which is suited to the capabilities of the catering kitchen.

“While it doesn’t have all the equipment we would need to prepare many of our regular menu items, it will be perfect for the breakfast menu we have planned,” Leone said. “Even if we are unable to open the restaurant for regular service by Christmas, we are committed to hosting the Christmas Breakfast on Christmas morning.”

The breakfast will take place 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 25 at the West Wind (709 N. Main St., River Falls). All proceeds will go to the Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix Counties. The menu will include scrambled eggs, cheesy hashbrowns, pancakes, ham, maple sausage links, fresh fruit, fresh baked cinnamon rolls, juice, and coffee.

This breakfast demonstrates the true meaning of the season, Leone said. “To see the community come together to support an organization that does so much in our region is a very heartwarming thing,” he said. “It makes you proud to be a part of the community and have a business here. It also feels good to be a part of something bigger and know you are giving back to the benefit of the community that has done so much for you.

As for the restaurant’s reopening, Leone will continue working through repairs and sourcing equipment, which takes more time than people realize. He said the unknowns are the toughest part of the process.

“When you’re waiting to hear on equipment and timelines for installation it’s hard to make plans,” Leone said. “Thankfully we have great support through our insurance provider and we are working hard to re-open as soon as possible.

If you are unable to attend and are interested in donating to the Free Clinic you can go online to freeclinicpiercestcroix. org or mail a check to the Free Clinic of Pierce & St. Croix Counties at P.O. Box 745 River Falls, WI 54022 (with West Wind Breakfast in the memo).