Case Study: The Mars Cheese Castle

When asked about Wisconsin, most people’s first thought is usually about cheese. However, true cheese addicts may also think about the Mars Cheese Castle. Started in 1947, the Mars Cheese Castle has served hungry travelers from around the area for over 70 years. When the Ventura and Wehrmeister families’ original building had to be demolished in order to make room for the I-94 freeway expansion, they contracted MSI General Corporation to help them design and build a new facility. Instead of a modest, castle-inspired building like the original design, the new structure would actually strive to replicate a Medieval façade. MSI General sought out a concrete masonry unit from County Materials’ Castle Rock. The concrete block featured a split face cut stone look, and was the primary material used for the building. At the base of the building, a white split face veneer masonry unit was used to give the castle a sense of scale. The original project was completed in 2011, and MSI was brought for a 21,042 square-foot addition. Effectively, this would double the size of the original castle. The anticipated completion date for the project was April 2017, with a Grand Re-Opening scheduled from May 25-30.
Words: Masonry Magazine Photos: Kim Skadahl
Masonry Restoration: Why Walls Fail and How We Fix Them
February 2026

Masonry doesn’t crack. Old brick never has issues. Every masonry wall lasts 100 years or more… right? If only that were true. Masonry is one of the most durable building materials ever used, but like all construction, it responds to time, movement, mo

MAP Partner
Read More
MCAA President Jeff Buczkiewicz Testifies To Congress On AI In Masonry
February 2026

On February 11, 2026, Jeff Buczkiewicz, President and CEO of the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), testified before the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections. He spoke during a hearing titled “Building an AI-Ready America: Safer Workp

Legislative
Read More
Safe Driving, Safe Job: A Masonry Crew's Guide to Vehicle Safety
February 2026

Every day, we load up our trucks and head out to the next job. Our vehicles are more than just a ride; they're our mobile workshops, carrying the tools and materials we need to build our proj

Mason Hill
Safety Library
Read More
MCAA President and CEO Jeff Buczkiewicz To Testify To Congress On AI
February 2026

On February 11, 2026, Jeff Buczkiewicz, President and CEO of the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), will testify before the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections. Representing a $41 billion industry, Buczkiewicz plans to showcase GEORG

Legislative
Read More