Gundersen to purchase Wettstein’s building

As Gundersen Health System grows in its size and service to the La Crosse area, caring for the community where it’s headquartered remains a top priority.

With patient care and maintaining the economic health and vitality of La Crosse in mind, Gundersen has agreed to purchase the Wettstein’s building at the corner of 3rd and State Streets in downtown La Crosse and open a dental specialties clinic.

"Wettstein’s has been an iconic business in downtown La Crosse for more than 67 years. We are excited to purchase this historic building and be a part of the thriving downtown community," says Gundersen CEO, Scott Rathgaber, MD. "This location will allow our patients better access to our dental services and allow us to continue to grow our dental specialties practice."

Gundersen’s Dental Specialties department is currently located on the fifth floor of Gundersen’s La Crosse Clinic. Some of the dental specialties care Gundersen will offer at the new location includes Orthodontics – straightening your teeth; Periodontics – gum disease; Prosthodontics – missing or decaying teeth; Pediatric Dentistry; and Endodontics – decaying and damaged teeth.

On June 28, owner Dan Wettstein announced plans to close his business this summer. Wettstein says while the decision to close wasn’t easy for him, he feels good knowing that a well-respected, local organization like Gundersen will be a great asset to downtown La Crosse.

"While it was not an easy decision for Gerianne and me to decide to close our business, knowing that a well-respected, community-focused business like Gundersen was interested in purchasing the building, reassured us that we were leaving the building and downtown in good hands," comments Wettstein.

Wettstein’s is scheduled to close in August. Gundersen hopes to begin renovations soon after and open the dental specialties clinic in April 2019.