Since 1995, the corner of Main and Algoma streets in Oshkosh has been home to a coffee shop. When the location originally opened, it was one of the first Seattle-style coffee shops in Northeast Wisconsin – and it was instrumental in getting locals hooked on the great taste of premiere coffee drinks. Over the years, the name changed from the Blue Moon to the New Moon, but the rest of the coffee shop remained pretty much the same. The recent purchase of the Moon by Aaron and Jason Baer, however, has brought new life to this Oshkosh establishment.

Aaron Baer, the younger of the Baer brothers, worked at the New Moon for years before he and Jason decided to become owners, and he’s been a regular at the coffee shop since high school. Aaron and Jason learned the ins and outs of owning a restaurant from their grandfather, Pat Earle, who owned Cranky Pat’s in Neenah for decades. The pizzeria and pub is now owned by their uncle, Dave Earle, who serves as a mentor to Jason and Aaron.

After months of planning and a few late nights painting, the New Moon reopened in 2003 with a more sophisticated color palette, new carpeting and furniture, and an expanded menu.