Jim Kunnert, original owner of Shot Tower Inn, Passes Away

The original owner of a popular Dubuque restaurant has died. Walter James “Jim” Kunnert, who in 1967 opened the business that would become Shot Tower Inn, died today . Kunnert was 86 years old, according to his son, also named Jim, who currently owns Shot Tower Inn. The elder Kunnert opened a location of the franchise Shakey’s Pizza in Dubuque in 1967. He would later drop the franchisee status, update the pizza recipe and add several new menu items to create Shot Tower Inn. The business has been a Dubuque staple for more than 50 years. Shot Tower Inn will be closed all day Friday, July 19, to allow friends and family to gather and celebrate Kunnert’s life.