The latest business changes around Wisconsin Rapids include two closures, one restaurant reopening, a gift shop moving back to a familiar address and a new home planned for a summer food truck tradition.
Mini Rapids, the indoor miniature golf course at 940 Huntington Ave., will close at the end of 2026, with Dec. 31, 2026, as its last day. Steph and Wyatt Randecker opened the course with a soft opening in February and a grand opening on March 21, after remodeling about 4,500 square feet inside their Premier Rental business. The course's holes highlight local businesses and organizations. In its Nov. 1 closure announcement, Mini Rapids said the owners are not sure what comes next but are glad they took the chance.
Milltown Coffee Company closed Oct. 29 inside Mid-State Technical College. Jen and Billy Oswald first opened a Mission Coffee-branded shop inside the college in February 2021, later rebranded as Milltown Coffee and spent part of 2025 in the former Chat-R-Box restaurant space in Kellner, serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, tea, smoothies and frappes, before returning to Mid-State at the start of 2026. In its closing announcement, the company thanked supporters and said the owners look forward to slowing down and spending more intentional time with family.
Taco Bell has reopened at 1750 Eighth St. S. as a standalone restaurant. The combined Taco Bell and KFC at that address, which had served Wisconsin Rapids since 1999, closed in August so the building could be remodeled, and the Taco Bell reopened in October without the KFC.
Country Freckles has moved from Eighth Street back to its former space at 1710 Baker St., a storefront recently vacated by Creative Paws, now Pet Pawlor in Port Edwards. The gift shop spent 16 years on Eighth Street and marked its return to Baker Street in September, 22 years after it was last there. It is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Food Truck Tuesdays will also move. The Food Truck Lot will remain a place where food trucks can park and serve, but the weekly Tuesday events will not continue there in 2027, as Premier Rental needs more space, time and attention as it grows. Central Wisconsin BMX will host Food Truck Tuesdays in 2027 at 2220 E. Riverview Expressway.
