History of Vienna

The Story Begins in Longmeadow, MA on Forest Glen Rd.

Mitch & Tess Krach were bringing up 5 children.

While quite dynamic even at the age 9, Jonathan and his brothers became entrepreneurs by starting Krach brothers Inc. an All Season Lawn Care & Catering business – budded mainly to entertain Mom & Dad’s business clients & friends – later well-known for their professionalism of these events. You could catch a glimpse of young Jonathan in his tuxedo pouring Champagne & engaging in conversation with the Mayor, Governor or even the Bishop. Hard work was quite proverbial to them; they spent the summer of 1978/79 unloading railroad cars at Lynch Lumber where Mitch Krach managed the business. They would often stop at a local restaurant around the corner after work and that is when they had an epiphany.

In 1979, at a tender age of 17, Jonathan and his siblings purchased a neighborhood “Gin Mill” called the Hofbrauhaus in West Springfield. A shot & a beer was only a $.65. After one solid year of extensive renovation they prevailed, by word of mouth a new trend had been born - the “H. B.” aka The Hofbrauhaus ! It was a success but only because of unbelievable sacrifice and dedication from the staff & family. Both Jonathan and his brother Mitch were mentored by Johanna Sanczuk, their Grandmother who was in the restaurant/Hotel business for 35 years in Springfield’s famous Highland Hotel and later Student Prince & the Fort restaurant.

The brothers most fortunate to have had tutelage with Stewart “Scottie” Gray as well, Roger Fessaguet and the late Robert Meyzen, Sr. of New York’s famed La Caravelle. Both Fassaguet & Meyzen; were masters of both Front & Back of the House decorum.

The real boost came after appearing on “Phantom Gourmet” channel “3” out of Hartford, CT, and their lives were never the same! Whether it be opening other restaurants, saving the historic “Log Cabin” atop scenic Mount Tom in Holyoke, MA, catering homecoming for troops after the first Gulf War for 10,000 people, operating the Hofbrauhaus Alpine festival at the “Big E” Eastern States Exposition or being a private Chef for luminaries upon their corporate jets and private yachts

The fast life came to an end with the Hofbrauhaus being sold in 1995. Jonathan took a break from the fast pace of the restaurant business and decided to work in the field of Technical Recruiting working with Boeing, Lear Jet, BMW and Pratt & Whitney to name a few. His diverse knowledge in these areas made him a natural, but he truly missed his love of restaurants. He continued to consult on the side.

Lisa met Jonathan while briefly working as Salad Garni Chef in 1993. After briefly dating, 5 years passed with out seeing each other. After being mentioned in conversation, Lisa now working as Bridal Consultant for the Log Cabin, she decided to locate Jonathan. After catching up with each other –they married 10 months later in 1999. With a new blended family upon them, they opted to work together on an ongoing consulting consignment in Charlemont, MA. The Warfield House – a 530 acre family farm was developed by Jonathan 4 years prior.

Lisa in her first dirndl dress Lisa at 4 years old... pretending to be Julie Andrews from the sound of music

Jonathan was again hired to rescue it from closing its doors due to family dispute. With 19 years of unique & unusual restaurant experience from wedding consultant, frontline hostess, bartender, banquet waitress, cocktail waitress, head wedding server, dessert & salad garni chef, catering ... but never running an Inn, Lisa had her work cut out for her! Historic Inn’s and Bed & Breakfasts had always fascinated Lisa; however she couldn’t see it easily fitting into her schedule of being a young mother. She soon found herself in charge of decorating the two Inn houses, planning weddings and assisting in the restaurant duties while being a Mom of 2 small girls at the time just 4 & 9. After being promised a chance to purchase the property, the owner returned from a winter in Florida and had re-thought his decision. Jonathan said ...

“It is time to think of getting our own place”.

Not a week had gone by when an old friend was recorded on the message machine; it was Keith. Thru a very serendipitous connection, friend Keith Leaning, previously Head Bartender at the Hofbrauhaus, now a masonry contractor, called his old friend Jonathan with a need for a consultant on laying out a Pub and Restaurant in an old historic building in Southbridge called the “Flat Iron”. The job was completed two-days later. The person was Gabriel McCarthy, satisfied with the work Jonathan had done, he asked about his newest property he was just completing the building 14 South Street, soon to be Vienna Restaurant & Historic Inn.

This was a huge leap of faith! Everyone told us we would fail, they all wished us a "Good Luck". However, we felt differently and that is why the story was born...