By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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SEWARD — A former bank in this small rural community is being converted into the town’s only establishment to sit down for a drink and a bite to eat.
The Vault, 3034 S. Pecatonica Road, keeps some of the characteristics of the original bank in tact. That includes several clusters of lockboxes and, fittingly, the bank vault itself, which will be used as a stock area. It’s expected to open by mid-March.
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Owner Mike Lane said the goal is to create a casual neighborhood gathering spot with light dining, a full-service bar and six video gaming machines. It will be available to reserve for birthday parties and other small get-togethers and events.
Lane said the menu is still being finalized, but The Vault will offer appetizers, pizza and flatbreads.
“We’re going to start off small and build on it,” said Lane, who’s making his first foray into the dining, gaming and bar business.
For the small unincorporated community of Seward, which is outside of Pecatonica in western Winnebago County, a new business is a source of both excitement and, for some, concern. The concerns largely stem from the bar with video gaming’s proximity to the town church across the street, Winnebago County Board and Seward Township officials said.
For Bre Zipse, who recently opened the community’s other newest business, The Vault is a welcome addition. Zipse is the owner of Rural Roots hair + co. across the street from the bar and eatery.
“I think the community support for The Vault will be good,” Zipse said. “It’s a working town, and when people get off work it will be a good spot to stop and have a drink or meet up with some friends. I think it’s absolutely a great thing coming to that town.”
Seward Township, which has fewer than 900 people according to the latest Census estimates, is also home to Seward Screw, a custom screw manufacturer. The Vault is across the street Seward Congregational Church and Zipse’s business and just down the street from a gas station and Eickman’s Meat Processing, a family-owned business known for providing some of the best cuts of meat in the region. Lane said he hopes The Vault can partner with Eickman’s for some of its food.
“It’s a great town that could definitely benefit from new businesses coming to town,” said Zipse, who lives about five minutes outside of Seward. “I think it’s going to be a great thing for the town, and I’m certainly excited for it to open up.”
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Seward Township Supervisor Richard Beuth, a farmer by trade, said the community once had a small restaurant that served breakfast and lunch on weekends, but that closed about five decades ago. Beuth said there is demand for a space that allows people to come together for food and conversation. For example, he said, once a week a group of 20 or more seniors gathers to meet at the former Seward School, which is now a community center.
The Vault will fill the former German American State Bank, which closed roughly a year ago. Beuth said township officials met with the owners about a week ago and wished them success and good luck.
“There’s too many towns you drive into and see too many empty buildings. It’s not a good look,” he said.
Winnebago County Board member Aaron Booker, a Republican who represents the area, said he received several calls of concerns from people who don’t like the business’s proximity to the church. However, it meets the required zoning to operate, he said. It is up to the Winnebago County Liquor Control Commission to approve the liquor license.
“I’m just hopeful they work with the people and listen to their concerns and try to be good neighbors,” Booker said. “I represent the people of the community, and I will support what the majority of the community wants.”
Lane said The Vault will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It will have a later start time of noon on Sundays so that it doesn’t interfere with church across the street.
The company is now hiring staff for The Vault, which is expected to employ about six people. You can send an application to thevault2@yahoo.com if interested.
“I know from experience in a small town many are looking for a place to meet with families from out of town: it could be for small birthday parties, reunion or simply a place to hangout and watch football games,” said Karen Hobbs of KH Food Safety Consulting & Services, which is working with The Vault.
She said it will be a good place to have lunch after church on Sunday or to gather after sports events.
“The Vault is just a good casual neighborhood hangout,” she said. “Simple, clean, good surroundings to go with great food and good customer service that the neighborhood and neighboring villages will also enjoy.”
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas