Step Back In Time At The Icebox
For those who desire a new hangout in the Iowa Great Lakes area, the Icebox at the Hi-Lo Supper Club in Lakefield, MN will provide a fun, new alternative. An atmosphere developed out of the roaring twenties; the Icebox’s welcoming intrigue is something not found anywhere nearby.
This retro style speakeasy bar was envisioned by the Hussong family, several years ago after the initial remodel of the Hi-Lo Club was completed.
“This is all Hannah’s (Hussong) idea! She executed all the details and plans until the Icebox was finished,” said owner Jim Hussong. “Originally, our exact vision was a regular bar, but speakeasy bars have grown in popularity throughout the United States, and we thought this would be the perfect spot for one.”
Speakeasy bars were hidden or retro-style establishments that grew in popularity during the Prohibition era when alcohol sales were illegal. For the Icebox, Hussong’s desired to recreate the ambiance of the time, featuring dim lighting and discreet entrances, while serving rare cocktails within a unique atmosphere.
Icebox’s Vision
The idea behind the Icebox initially started when the Hi-Lo Club first opened, as they were missing a bartender. Hannah stepped in and found she enjoyed making the drinks. She began spending considerable time researching Prohibition drinks and visiting different speakeasy bars, especially in New York. Experiences she discovered on her honeymoon in Italy were also included in her vision for the Icebox.
One thing she learned about these old drinks from a past era is they take considerable time to make, and the overall experience is a part of the process.
“The drinks we serve down in the Icebox take time to create, from making all our syrups by hand, infusing vanilla beans into the alcohol to mixing the egg whites. They are old drinks from the past that our guests are really enjoying,” Hannah shared. “They are different cocktails and mocktails you aren’t going to find anywhere else in this region.”
She added that her parents gave her the space to create the speakeasy bar you walk into today. “My parents gave me incredible freedom and support,” she said. “Some of it was trial and error and we had to overcome some complications in the building process, but it’s all worth it to now see people smiling and enjoying their drinks.”
Creating the Icebox
It wasn’t an easy process to transform the basement of the Hi-Lo Club into what you see today. One of the first tasks Jay Fagen of Fagen Construction in Spirit Lake had to undertake was to fix the entire mid-1940’s plumbing and sewer system. Bathrooms were rearranged to maximize space, and everything was brought up to current building codes.
“Upgrading from old to new brought its share of challenges, especially when they didn’t initially have cleanouts. But it was all for the better and now it is done right,” Jay said.
His construction crew also dug 3 ft by 3 ft holes to create supports for the upper floor, including hauling numerous five-gallon buckets up and down stairs.
“We had a pump truck come and used 150-ft of hose to pour concrete and fill in those holes,” Jay explained. “It takes time and patience to do the job right.”
Jim appreciates Fagen Construction taking on this year and a half project. “I’ve done so many projects with Jay that he knows how to work with me, helping us get exactly what we need,” he shared. “He knows how to calm the chaos!”
A more visual transformation removed a tiki-style 1970s bar that included a thatched roof and green turf. The original stairway was closed off.
“It’s a night and day difference,” Hannah said.
This doesn’t mean everything was removed, as the old Hi-Lo Club’s Icebox door was repurposed, and the original Lloyd Kruse waterfall remains. Hannah then designed the bar with the purpose of making crafted cocktails as fast as possible.
Katie Hansen of Revive Interiors of Lakefield played a huge role in transforming the basement from the ambiance of a tiki-bar to the mysteriousness of the roaring twenties.
“We drew a lot of inspiration from what was already done upstairs to keep things cohesive throughout the building, but at the same time, we wanted the Icebox to have its own distinct, authentic vibe,” Katie explained. “We kept some design elements from the main floor but gave this space a darker, edgier feel to capture that hidden, intimate speakeasy atmosphere.”
Design pieces were selected that stayed true to the 1920s time period, especially the art deco glass windows created by Katie’s friend to the artwork placed on the walls. The wallpaper Laura Fagen expertly placed on the north wall was a scene Katie found online and bought the rights to use. Even the chairs being used came from the old Phillips Hotel in Sioux Falls, and the Angel of Redemption Sculpture was custom designed by James Wall from Hussong Classic Cars.
“It was really a team effort! We kicked things off with a design concept using 3D renderings, then translated those concepts into real-life materials and finishes,” Katie added. “Some of my favorite features include back-lit stained-glass windows that add a mysterious glow, the elegant gold and black epoxy floors that ground that space, vintage liquor ads as a nod to the era, and a mural that captures the speakeasy vibe.”
Jonny Fiddelke of Adapt Coatings created a sample board for the Hussong’s before turning the concrete floor into an elegant gold and black metallic epoxy masterpiece.
“We created a board that showed a sample of how the colors would mix and then shared it with Jim before starting the project,” Jonny explained. “The copper and black blended beautifully and transformed the floor into something fun and unique for this project.”
The sample was exactly what Jim was envisioning as the gold lines throughout the epoxy reminded him of a gold mine. “A gold mine is down below, and the Icebox is in the basement,” he added.
Throughout the entire project, each contributor played a valuable role in remodeling the Icebox.
“One of the neatest things about this remodel is how the space itself – something that would typically be considered a design challenge to a construction challenge – actually became one of its greatest strengths,” Katie shared. “A dark room in the back of a basement with no natural light and low ceilings isn’t usually an ideal starting point, but for a speakeasy, it’s perfect. That tucked-away, hidden feel enhances the authenticity.”
Jay agreed with how the teamwork brought the Icebox to completion, “We enjoyed the challenge of the project; it took a lot of people collaborating to bring it to completion. I especially love working with the Hussong’s to bring an idea to light, they’ve taken on a lot of challenges most people wouldn’t consider. It tells you a lot about their character and love for the community of Lakefield.”
Hidden away in a small, rural Minnesota community, the Icebox is sure to draw guests. There’s an unseen outdoor door on the south side for those who’d like direct access to the speakeasy bar, or Hussong’s welcome visitors who’d first like to enjoy a meal in the ambiance of the Hi-Lo Supper Club and then finish the night off with a cocktail at the Icebox.
Either way, be prepared to step back in time and enjoy a night away—just across the Iowa border.
For more information, call the Hi-Lo Supper Club at 507-662-5992 or visit hiloclub.com. The steakhouse and speakeasy bar are both located at 80626 Highway 86 on the southern edge of Lakefield.
Adapt Coatings
Jonny Fiddelke: 712-339-5883
Fagen Construction
Jay Fagen: 712-320-1355 (Construction)
Laura Fagen: 712-320-5531 (Painting and Wallpaper)
Revive Interiors
Katie Hansen: 507-360-0658