Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Owner's death leaves Wishbones future uncertain

HURLEY - The unexpected death of owner William Murray has left the future of his property on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Silver Street in Hurley up in the air.

Murray, 67, died June 17 in Madison from complications with a medical procedure.

Iron County Board chairman and Hurley Mayor Joe Pinardi said he plans talk to Murray's significant other once the family business surrounding the funeral is finished to see how she wants to handle the property. He isn't sure whether she plans to continue developing a restaurant or different business on the site or plans to sell it.

"It's entirely up to her," Pinardi said. "Either way, I'll help her."

The property was the location of Wishbones before a fire destroyed the property in December 2013. The building remained vacant until Murray purchased the property from Iron County for $3,000 in November 2015.

He had planned to build a restaurant on the property, which has been the site of a number of other restaurants, including Connie's Supper Club.

Under the requirements included in the property's deed, Murray had to clean up the property by August and have it inhabitable by September 2017.

Work removing the remains of the fire began last fall and resumed earlier this spring. Pinardi said he isn't too concerned about the deadlines, as Murray was well ahead of schedule.

 
 
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