Their Story

For Audra Grueneberg, co-owner and executive chef of The Grün Hexe, a West Bend new American restaurant, cooking is like alchemy, an ancient tradition and forerunner to chemistry that aimed to transform materials into new things, sometimes in impressive or mysterious ways.

It feels like magic that you can throw different ingredients together and have an outcome be completely different from what you anticipated,” said Audra. “Plus, food brings people together, and that always seems like magic.”

Audra has worked in restaurants since she was 14 years old. In 2017, she was named among the Top 100 brunch chefs by Forbes magazine. Ashley Gregoriou also grew up in the business and was the general manager at a West Bend supper club where Audra was the chef. With 50 years of experience between the two of them, Ashley and Audra decided to strike out on their own and open a woman-owned restaurant.

The Challenge

The duo developed The Grün Hexe, which opened on June 1, 2023. Grün Hexe means “green witch” in German and refers to a mythical or fictional character often associated with nature, plants or forests.

“This concept of magic and nature really resonated with us,” said Ashley. “We wanted to do a farm-to-table restaurant where we’re using local produce, fresh herbs and essential oils and putting a new spin on classic dishes.”

When Ashley and Audra began looking for a financial partner for their new venture, they tried several larger banks and decided it wasn’t a good fit for them. Audra’s accountant put them in touch with Forte Bank.

The Solution

“Forte Bank was very responsive and welcoming,” said Ashley. “Right from the start it seemed like a good match.”

Ashley and Audra used Forte Bank for a small business loan for some of their start-up costs.

“They gave us a chance,” said Audra. “They trusted us and made the process simple. We were glad to have one less thing to worry about.

The Grün Hexe prides itself on being a full-scratch kitchen, including all fresh homemade pasta, soups, sandwiches, salads, paninis and desserts. Audra works with many local farmers and stops at the West Bend Farmers Market on a weekly basis for fresh produce and menu specials.

In addition to sit-down dining, the restaurant also offers pick-up catering and special event dining in their space for 40 seated guests. The restaurant has been a popular choice for birthdays, holiday parties, retirement gatherings, baby and bridal showers, and more.

“For anyone who needs homemade feelgood food for a gathering, we ensure a beautiful presentation with exceptional quality and care,” said Ashley.

After a year in business, Audra and Ashley are thrilled to have created an environment where they, their employees, and the community want to be in.

“Our goal was to make people feel welcome and comfortable, and I think we’ve achieved that with our nostalgic recipes and earthy, eclectic vibe,” said Audra.

Audra and Ashley are excited for what the summer months will bring. In addition to patio seating, they’re located only steps away from the renovated Downtown River Walk and the Eisenbahn State Trail. They’re also getting involved in downtown events like Music on Main with the Downtown West Bend Association.

“We hope these amenities and events will bring a lot of tourism to West Bend,” said Ashley. “We are excited to be part of the positive momentum in West Bend.”

 “Everyone at Forte Bank is so 'Midwest Nice.' That's always a positive for me, especially coming from the hospitality industry."