Business dealings listed within Hog Wild BBQ and Smokehouse Restaurant arson case
Steven W Kastern Covering Surveillance Camera
(Douglas County Indictment)
SUPERIOR, Wis. & SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. – In the indictment of Steven and Kimberly Kastern for the fire at Hog Wild BBQ and Smokehouse Restaurant, there were a number of business dealings mentioned. The was a fire at the establishment on June 10, 2025.
The couple were arrested on October 17, 2025 and were released on bail on October 20, 2025.
The indictment said they had an insurance policy on the business with Society Insurance, which is a company that focuses on business insurance.
It continued to say, “The policy had been renewed for the period from July 14, 2024, to July 14, 2025. On May 5, 2025, Society Insurance issued a non-renewal notice for the policy, providing as a reason ‘Underwriting reasons – Restaurants in a PC 9 with the age, construction type, and value of building, with no sprinkler, does not meet our underwriting guidelines.’ ”
Steven Wade Kastern
(Douglas County Jail)
The fire happened about one month before the insurance was set to expire.
The Kastens also, “held a mortgage on Hog Wild at the time of the incident through Chippewa Valley Bank1 in Superior, with an outstanding mortgage of approximately $190,000.”
In an interview with law enforcement, “Steven reported investing approximately $750,000 to $800,000 into renovating the property.”
Kimberly also said when talking to law enforcement the couple had put up the restaurant for sale approximately 3 months after opening.
The indictment said it was initially listed for $1.4 million. It was now listed for $699,000.
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Outside of the indictment, the Kasterns have also now have a $60,472.36 construction lien placed against the property by Paul Davis Restoration of the Northland.
Kimberly Sue Kastern
(Douglas County Jail)
That company “provides services to clean up and repair damage to residential and commercial properties due to water, fire, mold, storm or other disasters.”
The lien was placed on the property on September 23, 2025, about three and half months after the fire.
In the lien filing, on-line it is not clear if it was due to clean-up work from the fire.
