SPRING VALLEY – Past the towering pines of the Spring Valley Golf Course, tucked inside the clubhouse you’ll find a cozy restaurant with a welcoming feel and a new lease on life. Welcome to the Flatstick Bar & Grill.

Telemachus Awsumb and Mariah Smith are a couple with a vision. They have been managing and leasing the Flatstick from golf course owners Bob & Kathy Rupakus since November. Awsumb attended school in Spring Valley through third grade and Smith grew up in Colfax, so the small-town atmosphere of the community is a perfect fit for them. Awsumb has also worked for the Rupakuses for several years, starting on the grounds crew and bouncing around wherever he was needed. The Rupakuses offered him and Smith the Flatstick opportunity after a long, busy season.

“I’ve always been in the restaurant world,” Smith said. “I worked for Blind Tiger in Colfax and I did everything: bartending, serving, cooking. I loved all of it and I kept going back there.”

The Flatstick gets its name from a putter, a nod to the golf course greens outside its big windows. Awsumb said it’s definitely a conversation starter.

“It was supposed to be funny joke, but I guess nobody understands it,” he laughed. “But we’re starting to get the name out there, we’re starting to see a lot of new faces. We’re starting to get our regulars, which is exciting.”

The couple has added their own spin on the menu with the additions of hand-pattied burgers from Sailer’s, fresh cut French fries, homemade meatballs and mashed potatoes (on Thursdays), and more.

“We make the meatballs and mashed potatoes fresh every Thursday morning,” Smith said. “They’ve definitely been a hit.”

Saturday night is steak night, featuring marinated sirloins from Sailer’s in Elmwood.

“They melt in your mouth,” Smith said.

A Friday fish fry is a mainstay in any Wisconsin restaurant, and the Flatstick is no exception. They serve either a two- or three-piece haddock dinner (baked or hand-battered), with choice of potato, baked beans and coleslaw. Pair that with a brandy old-fashioned and you have yourself a fine Sconnie night out.

As they get to know their customers and grow the clientele, Smith is grateful for the opportunity.

“It’s nice to almost pick what you’re doing each day,” she said. “You get to decide how things go. It’s really nice to see all the new faces and meeting all the people.”
Awsumb likes seeing the return of their hard work and finds it satisfying.

“We’re putting in a lot of effort and it’s very rewarding to see that people are coming back, they’re liking it and we’re taking it in the right direction. It’s a great sense of accomplishment,” he said.

Long-term, Awsumb hopes it becomes a known, local hangout spot where people can be with their friends. He knows it’s a big undertaking, but he’s up for the challenge. Smith is looking forward to continuing to get to know locals better and slowly making improvements to the menu and dining room.

“Once we’re able to start getting new things in here, new high tops, new stuff in the kitchen, keep making improvements to make it a fun and nice atmosphere,” she said. “The community has supported us a lot the last few months and it’s been very encouraging.”

The Flatstick is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day except Mondays. They are located at S345 Hidden Fox Court, Spring Valley. Follow them on Facebook for upcoming events and specials or visit flatstickgrill.com