April 1, 2026 – West Bend, Wi – The landscape on S. Main Street in West Bend, Wi, may be losing another mom-and-pop business as a proposal will come before the plan commision next week to bring in a new franchise business.
A request will come before the City of West Bend Plan Commission on April 9, 2026, for approval of a 4,464-square-foot Tsunami Express Car Wash at 1014 S. Main Street. The address is currently home to Jumbo’s Frozen Custard, a long-running, family-owned business operated by Jeff Kern.
Kern, who has owned the property since 2003, said Jumbo’s was never a fresh start rooted in deep local ties.
“I bought the property in 2003 and we opened in May of 2004,” Kern said.
Before launching Jumbo’s, Kern built his experience in the custard world working under Bob Stamm.
“He owned Sweets Frozen Custard in Milwaukee,” Kern said. “I worked for him, and then he purchased the original Kopp’s Frozen Custard on 60th and Appleton.”
The South Main Street location of Jumbo’s carries its own history. The site was previously home to Spiro’s A&W restaurant that was lost to fire, giving Kern an opportunity to reimagine the space.
“We found this location, having been familiar with the community,” Kern said. “I thought it was time to try something on my own, as opposed to working with someone or for someone. So we redeveloped this site.”
Back in 2003 the neighborhood on S. Main Street was a little different. Coachman House Supper Club was next door to Jumbo’s. That later rebranded to Club Ten 06.
In 1948 that supper club location on South Main was home to Ott and Anne’s Custard. Later a couple of sisters bought it and changed the name to Prudy’s Restaurant.
Weiland’s “Fun” Center, which started in 1974 by David and Nancy Clark, was south of Jumbo’s and the West Bend Mutual Mall, formerly Larson’s Furniture, was across the street.
Kern remembered, when he first approached the city council about his plans for a custard shop and how there was some early pushback on design, for elements that are now considered commonplace.
“I originally had a metal roof on this building; it was the more modern thing,” Kern said. “Well, that didn’t fit the confines of city restrictions. So they wouldn’t even look at my proposal with a metal roof, so I had to shingle this.”
There was also some concern from then Mayor Mike Miller about the red letters in the LED sign. Now, computer driven LED signs are common up and down Main Street.
Despite the hurdles, Jumbo’s carved out its place in the community, continuing traditions in a family-friendly atmosphere.
“We’ve continued to serve frozen custard or frozen ice cream dessert treats,” Kern said. “We do it in a family-oriented restaurant, much like A&W did. And we’re happy that it’s been well-received to this point.”
Now, more than two decades later, the property is the subject of a potential sale.
Kern confirmed he was approached by a developer interested in bringing a car wash to the site, but stressed nothing is finalized.
“Nothing is set in stone,” he said. “I was approached by a developer that thought the site lended itself well to being a car wash. So they put an offer together contingent on city approval, number one, but also their execution and due diligence and due process from a return-on-investment standpoint.”
Kern said the coming months will determine whether the proposal moves forward.
“We’ll find out here in the early summer,” he said.
As for his own future, Kern made it clear stepping away isn’t something he’s eager to do.
“I’m not certain I’m ready to retire because I’ve always had a job in my life,” he said. “And I enjoy my customers, and I enjoy serving this community as I have since 2003.”
Still, he acknowledged the mounting pressure facing independent businesses.
“The competition moving into the area makes my business more difficult every day,” he said. “The days of one-store, one-owner locations seem to be going away. And I don’t necessarily think that’s a good thing, but it is what it is.”
For now, Kern said Jumbo’s will remain open as usual, even as uncertainty lingers.
“We are going to be open in the capacity that we function every day as long as we can,” he said. “We will be open for our customers as long as we can and as long as there’s customers that want to share an experience with me here at Jumbo.”
The proposed Tsunami Express Car Wash is on the next Plan Commission agenda for April 9, 2026. The meeting will be held in the council chambers at City Hall. The meeting is free and open to the public.
On a side note:
-In September 2025 the West Bend Plan Commission approved development of a new Culver’s restaurant at the former Omicron Family Restaurant and VisionWorks locations, 1437 and 1505 S. Main Street.
-There has been a drumbeat of mom-and-pop businesses that have closed over the past years. Most recently Husar’s House of Fine Diamonds, Omicron Family Restaurant, and Riverside Brewery to name a few.
-See plans below for proposed Tsunami Express Car Wash
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I hope Jumbos stays and they don’t go through with this. We don’t need more car washes.
Pretty sure there’s already a car wash a few blocks south of Jumbo’s. Turning Jumbo’s into a car wash makes no sense.
I agree, what a silly idea ! West Bend has plenty of car washes ! I’m also still very sad about Omicron leaving for another culvers 🙁
Jeff Kern invested in this community and should be allowed to cash out any way he can before he is run out of business by the new Culver’s. If the Tsunami car wash should be blocked because there is already another car wash down the street, that same thought process should have been applied when the new Culver’s location across from Jumbo’s was brought up for approval. Sadly, the approval of the new Culver’s franchise doomed the family run Jumbo’s. I am afraid the approval of a Tsunami franchise will spell the same fate for the Scrub-A-Dub down the street.
Oh please, NOT A CAR WASH!
WE NEVER NEEDED ANOTHER CULVERS! mom n pop shops are going the way of the dodo…very sad times for WB & the world!
West bend does not need another Culver’s, car wash, or any more chain/franchises. It is continuing to lose what made the city of west bend unique, which is local and independently owned businesses. Jumbos is an institution and I would be heartbroken to see it go. No one does a mushroom & Swiss burger quite like they do!
YES I AGREE, NO MORE CAR WASHES. WEST BEND DOESN’T NEED ANOTHER CAR WAS. WHAT SHOULD GO THERE IS A CHICKEN PLACE , WE DONT HAVE A CHICKEN ANYMORE. WHAT HAPPENED TO CHIC FILLET OR POPEYES? ?? PLEASE, PLEASE , DON’T PUT IN ANOTHER CAR WASH.
Just terrible! Jumbo’s is a West Bend INSTITUTION. The burgers, custard, and hot dogs are delicious. I would be sad to see it go.
I agree with Taylor. West Bend does not need another Culver’s or car wash. We already have a free car wash that is readily available. It’s called the rain, folks!
I also agree with Deborah. A Chick-fil-A would do really well here, I think. Let’s make it happen! I know Judy has reported in the past that Chick-fil-A has expressed interest in opening up a restaurant in West Bend. Have you heard any update on that, Judy?