Federated assists fre-opened Hi-Lo Club with loan

Federated Rural Electric in Jackson recently assisted the Hi-Lo Club, Lakefield, with a $159,582 Revolving Loan Fund check.

The Hi-Lo Club underwent a renovation of the restaurant under new owners James and Tresa Hussong. Besides adding an upstairs bar and remodeling the restaurant, the Hussongs changed from the onsite septic system to a sewer connection to the Lakefield city line.

Federated and the Hi-Lo Club signed the 10-year loan paperwork on March 24; the Hi-Lo Club also provided ma tching funds with a loan from the Southwest Initiative Foundation in Hutchinson and the $100,000 from the Jackson County Revolving Loan Fund. As funds are repaid to Federated, they can be loaned to other organizations.

For more than 75 years the Hi-Lo Club has been known as a place to enjoy “Food at its Finest.” The restaurant opened in 1945 and over the years added a liquor license in 1988 and catering shortly thereafter. The Husssongs purchased the business in 2021 when it closed due to the pandemic and owners’ health.

The upstairs was remodeled with a ‘Rat Pack’-themed décor dating back to the 1950s supper club, and a bar was also added upstairs. The restaurant re-opened Dec. 31, 2022.