Village Board approves honorary name change for Young Street
By Tracy Ouellette
Editor
Dave Strand, president and CEO of Wisconsin Oven Corp. in East Troy recently asked the Village of East Troy Board to change the name of the street the company is located on to “Wisconsin Oven Way.”
The idea came about because it’s a phrase often used at Wisconsin Oven meetings and with the employees.
“Every time we meet internally here we talk about the WOW factor, doing things the ‘Wisconsin Oven Way,’” said Strand. “It’s a source of pride for the employees and the company.”
The Village Board discussed the pros and cons at the Aug. 18 meeting. The board members were generally in favor of the name change but there was concern about the history of Young Street, being named after Josephy Young, who was a prominent member of the community.
“The potential snag in this is that back in 1969 Joseph Young donated or sold at a significantly lowered price, so if we do change the name we might have to be honorary because we don’t want to offend anyone,” Village President Randy Timms said.
Timms tasked board member Forty Renucci with investigating whether the Young family was still in East Troy and if they would have any objections.
There was also concern that the other businesses on the street would like to have the expense of an address change.
At the Aug. 18 meeting Timms said Moxness didn’t have a problem with it and that was the only other business on Young Street. However, it was discovered over the past week that Plymouth Tube Co. also has a Young Street address.
“We thought they had an Energy Drive address because they’re right behind Village Hall, but it’s not,” Timms said Tuesday.
The board tabled the discussion to the Aug. 25 meeting to allow for a little more investigation as to the Young family’s feelings and at Monday night’s meeting board members voted to give the street the honorary name of “Wisconsin Oven Way” which will allow the other businesses to keep their Young Street addresses but also allow Wisconsin Oven to have its business on a road named after it.
The new sign will be revealed at Wisconsin Oven’s Sept. 13 open house. The event will celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary and will be held at its 2675 Main St. plant from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The public invited to join the employees in celebrating the company’s birthday and recent expansion. Family members of all ages are welcome to attend.
There will be tours of all the facilities, including the new 30,000-square-foot addition. Trolley rides between buildings will be provided by the East Troy Electric Railroad. A food and refreshment tent with live music will be located in front of the building.
“We’re really excited about that,” Strand said. “It’s going to be nice for the employees – the fact that the street is going to be named Wisconsin Oven Way gives us all a sense of pride.”
