{{Short description|Retail store in Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S.}} {{Use American English|date=September 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox restaurant | name = Mars Cheese Castle | image = Mars Cheese Castle sign.jpg | image_width = 200px | image_caption = The Mars Cheese Castle sign in 2009 | established = 1947 | mapframe = yes | food_type = Cheese, fast food | street_address = 2800 West Frontage Road | city = Kenosha | state = Wisconsin | postcode = 53144 | country = U.S. | coordinates = {{Coord|42.6147|-87.9543|type:landmark_region:US-WI|display=inline,title}} | website = {{URL|https://www.marscheese.com/}} }}
'''Mars Cheese Castle''' is a specialty food store, delicatessen, and taproom which sells a variety of consumable products in Kenosha, Wisconsin.<ref>{{cite news |first=Kate |last=Silver |date=March 25, 2018 |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/travel/ct-trav-mars-cheese-castle-0408-story.html |title=At Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha, Third-Generation Royalty Is Breaking the Mold |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> Located along Interstate 94, the shop is popular among Wisconsin visitors and has been called a "cheese landmark", "one of Wisconsin's most recognizable cheese stores", and "an icon for generations of I-94 travelers".<ref name=Hajewski>{{cite news|last=Hajewski|first=Doris|title=Castle beckons shoppers: Iconic cheese retailer lowers drawbridge on new home|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=March 6, 2011}}</ref><ref name=Herzog>{{cite news|last=Herzog|first=Karen|title=Gouda-bye: Freeway alters cheese interchange—Road project forces store to close, another to move|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=April 7, 2009}}</ref><ref name=widening>{{cite news|title=Iconic Cheese Castle in Wis. shoved aside by I-94 widening|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> While the store is best known for its cheese, it also sells sausages and other foods, beer, wine, specialty condiments, soft drinks and Wisconsin souvenirs such as cheesehead hats.<ref name="Carlozo">{{cite news|last=Carlozo|first=Lou|url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/09/14/mission-at-mars-cheese/ |title=Mission at Mars: Cheese|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=September 14, 2001}}</ref>
The store is the oldest cheese shop located at what the ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel'' called "Wisconsin's most visible cheese interchange"; the junction of Interstate 94 and Wisconsin Highway 142 had three cheese shops until 2009 when it was reduced to two.<ref name=Herzog/>
The in-store deli offers burgers, bratwurst, and other sandwiches. A variety of draft and bottle beers are available in the taproom – including imported European beers and Wisconsin microbrews. There is also a bakery on site.
==History== Mario Ventura, Sr., opened Mars Cheese Castle in 1947. The shop's name was inspired by its owner's, as the name Mario comes from the Roman god Mars; the "Castle" part of the name was inspired by a castle in Italy owned by Ventura's mother. Kenosha artist George Pollard designed the store's logo; the project was Pollard's first job.<ref name="Carlozo"/> The original store, which featured a large beer bottle on its roof, burned down in 1957; a new store was built nearby.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 12, 1957 |title=Blaze Destroys Cheese 'Castle' |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0NcjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gCUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7321,5757794&dq=mars+cheese+castle&hl=en |accessdate=March 25, 2013 |newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal}}</ref>
In 2011, a project widening Interstate 94 forced the store to relocate {{convert|50|yard}} away from the freeway. The new store, over twice as large as the previous building, was designed to more closely resemble an actual castle; it features a watchtower holding the store's wine and an entrance which resembles a drawbridge.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pang |first=Kevin |date=April 10, 2011 |title=Wisconsin royalty: In new digs, Mars' Cheese Castle gives up some charm to live up to its name |newspaper=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> A special statute passed by the Wisconsin Legislature allowed the store to keep its {{convert|80|ft|adj=on}} sign at its new location despite a state law prohibiting signs that tall.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 27, 2007 |title=State budget provision protects Mars Cheese Castle sign |url=https://www.twincities.com/2007/10/29/state-budget-provision-protects-mars-cheese-castle-sign/ |newspaper=St. Paul Pioneer Press}}</ref>
Mars Cheese Castle has attracted a number of celebrity visitors. Rock band Weezer held a record signing at the store in 2001, and Al Hirt, Al McGuire, John F. Kennedy, and Johnny Cash have all visited the store.<ref name="Carlozo"/> Then–U.S. Vice President Joe Biden also stopped at the store while campaigning for the 2012 presidential election.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tau |first=Byron |date=November 14, 2015 |orig-date=October 26, 2012 |title=Biden visits 'cheese castle' |url=http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/10/biden-visits-cheese-castle-147404.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411160810/http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/10/biden-visits-cheese-castle-147404.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |access-date=April 18, 2025 |newspaper=Politico}}</ref>
==See also== *Frank's Diner
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Official website|http://www.marscheese.com}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Kenosha, Wisconsin Category:Tourist attractions in Kenosha County, Wisconsin Category:Roadside attractions in Wisconsin Category:1947 establishments in Wisconsin Category:Cuisine of Wisconsin