GREEN BAY (NBC26) — He helped create a space that has hosted countless events and houses some of Green Bay's coolest cars.
The founder of the automobile gallery, William "Red" Lewis, passed away earlier this month. This week, the automobile gallery is preparing for its first Bloody Mary Brunch this Sunday, working to put on an event that would have made Lewis proud.
"Whatever we do, we always keep it, "What would Red do?'" said Kathryn Gardner, Director of Events at the Automobile Gallery. "Because that's the way that we want to continue his legacy and his memory here."
The Bloody Mary Brunch has almost completely sold out, said Gardner.
"We received such great outpouring from the community with his passing," she said.
The event is something the gallery, and Red, had been wanting to do for a while, said Gardner. Open to members and non members, the brunch features food from Chefusion and bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas. Safety is a top priority for the brunch, said Gardner.
"We just really want people to be able to get out there," she said. "When you're doing it, be safe at the same time."
The gallery created two separate seatings to socially distance people in the space. There's even a spot for Red Lewis, sitting in his favorite director's chair. All proceeds will go to the gallery. There was no way the gallery was going to cancel, said Gardner.
"Red really liked the gallery busy," she said. "We've been trying to do things over COVID, of course, that are safe, but in the same breath, to let people get out of their house, if they feel that they would like to."
The gallery also recently started a scholarship fund in Red Lewis's name; any college student can apply for it, no matter what their degree.
