Watson owned Stadium View in Green Bay
GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers fans might not know Jerry Watson, but they certainly know his Stadium View Bar & Grille, a Lambeau Field and Resch Center staple.
Watson, 72, died Nov. 21.
In 1992, Watson, his wife, Diane, and his brother, Jack Watson, purchased the property at 1963 Holmgren Way (then Gross Avenue) for $350,000. At the time it was a dress store named the Signature Shop. The founding of the bar coincided with the restoration of the Green Bay Packers’ on-field success.
The aptly-named Stadium View is about 500 yards from Lambeau Field with a direct view of the stadium down Armed Forces Drive.
“It took us 26 days to convert it into a bar,” Watson said in a 2006 Green Bay Press-Gazette interview. “I clearly remember my brother Jack saying to me, ‘You know you’re paying $100,000 more than this property is worth.’
“I said: ‘Jack, you’re right, but look at that view,’” Watson said.
Watson acknowledged turning down offers to sell Stadium View, one of which was for more than $6 million.
Over the years, the Watsons kept adding to Stadium View, making it a large wedding, banquet and meetingplace venue as well as regular stop for people attending Lambeau Field and Resch Center events. The Stadium View regularly hosts live music on Packers’ game days.
Watson also was known as a great interview subject who spoke his mind, whether it was about business, the Packers or the plans of local government and developers. For example, he always acknowledged the importance the Packers had on his business and the community, but he remained skeptical, and wasn’t afraid to say so, of some of the team’s promises, such as saying it would not compete with local bars and restaurants.
Visitation is scheduled for 2-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25 at Stadium View, 1963 Holmgren Way, Ashwaubenon. Funeral services will follow.