Mostly support but some criticism for brewpub license

A two-to-one majority of neighborhood residents at an April 8 meeting supported transferring the existing Class “B” Tavern license at 2535 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. to the new brewpub proposed for this site, a former Masonic temple whose previous owner used it as a banquet hall.

In a nonbinding vote to gauge public interest held on site, 27 people supported the new brewpub, while 13 opposed it during the 1.5-hour meeting organized by building and business owner Steve Fix and 14th District Alderman Tony Zielinski.

Fix hopes to open the brewpub, Bay View Brew Haus and Banquets, later in May.

Zielinski said community input from this meeting would inform whether he recommends approving the license to the Common Council, whose Licenses Committee will consider the transfer May 11. 

Silent Majority of Support

At the meeting, many residents applauded Fix’s efforts to bring a new business into the community. They said they felt the building had been out of use for far too long and that empty storefronts were bad both for Bay View’s image and local property values.

“Steve has made a sincere effort to be a part of the community fixes,” said Patty Thompson, president of the Bay View Neighborhood Association.

A minority of critics were more vocal than supporters, however. They complained about the prevalence of drinking establishments already in the area.

Amy Schubert, a 13-year resident of Bay View who lives across the alley from the Bay View Library, opposed the license transfer. She claimed that between the 2100 and 3000 blocks of Kinnickinnic, there are 2.6 establishments with liquor licenses per block (see sidebar).

Zielinski said he wanted to balance the needs of residents and merchants in the commercial district.

“I have been working very hard to keep liquor-licensed establishments outside of residential zones. But this is not an easy call. This is a borderline situation,” Zielinski said.

The 2535 S. KK parcel is zoned LB2, local business district, bordered to north and west by RT4, residential zoning.

Fix, who purchased the property in February, didn’t expect a problem.

“I didn’t think it would be this much of a problem to get a liquor license for a building that already had it,” said Fix. “I didn’t think we’d have a problem with the neighborhood because the city already considered it a pub.”

Noise & Parking Concerns

Some residents at the meeting also worried about the noise and parking problems the business could bring.

Schubert asked if anyone had tried to put a 7-year-old to bed with a party going on outside. Another nearby resident said in the past music from the upstairs banquet hall sounded like it was in his own backyard.

Fix plans only acoustic and jazz combos three days a week on the first floor. Weddings or parties upstairs could still provide their own music, as they have for years under the former owners.

Fix has already taken some measures to remedy noise issues. New windows were installed in the front of the building and insulation was added to the rear wall to help mute the sound coming from the downstairs hall. Fix also said the rear door, which opens onto an alley off Otjen Street, will be used as a loading door and will only be used as an emergency exit during hours of operation.

The parking issue may prove to be a bit stickier. There are only seven dedicated parking spots at the rear of the building. Residents expressed concern that patrons would have to park in front of their residences. One possible solution suggested was using the nearby Bay View Library parking lot after library hours. Current library board policy is that library parking lots are not available for public parking after library hours.

Zielinski, a member of the Licenses Committee, encouraged those in support or opposition to testify again at the May 11 meeting.

“There are new and young professionals moving into Bay View and they want a place to go. They don’t want to go all the way to [St. Francis]. But I don’t want to infringe on the quality of life already in the neighborhood,” Zielinski said.

Kinnickinnic Avenue Liquor Licenses

Class “B” Tavern

The Bottle Milwaukee, 1753 S KK

Telluride, 2155 S KK

Riviera Maya Restaurant, 2258 S KK

Café Centraal, 2306 S KK

Highbury, 2322 S KK

Dee’s Wine Stop, 2327 S KK

Club Carnival, 2394 S KK

Bay View Bowl, 2416 S KK

Bay View Manor, 2535 S KK

Ancient Well Restaurant, 2535 S KK

The Alchemist, 2569 S KK

Frank’s Power Plant, 2800 S KK

Outpost Natural Foods Cooperative, 2826 S KK

Cataldo’s, 2826 S KK

The White House, 2900 S KK

Lee’s Luxury Lounge, 2988-96 S KK

Palm Tavern, 2989 S KK

Blackbird Bar, 3007 S KK

Roman’s Pub, 3475 S KK

Class “B” Fermented Malt Beverage

Midwest Diner, 2321 S KK

Hi Fi Café, 2640 S KK

Magic Dann’s Jazz & Blues Restaurant, 2691 S KK

Classic Slice Pizza, 2797 S KK

Class “A” Liquor & Malt

Siegel Liquor, 2632 S KK

Class “A” Malt

Bay View Quick Mart

Class “C” Wine License

Midwest Diner, 2321 S KK

Hi Fi Café, 2650 S KK

Magic Dann’s Jazz & Blues Restaurant, 2691 S KK

Source: City Clerk’s License Division

Note: The Licenses Committee approved a Class “B” Tavern license April 21 for Honeypie, 2643 S KK, the former Annona Bistro. The committee approved a Class “B” Tavern license Jan. 26 for the Tonic Tavern, 2335 S KK. It rejected a Class “A” Malt license Dec. 15, 2008 for AK Market, 2301 S Howell. It also granted an extension of premises for Sugar Maple, 441 E. Lincoln, April 21 to include outdoor space east of the building. If plans ever go forward to develop the Avalon Theatre, 2469-83 S KK, possibly including a Javino wine bar, a liquor license would likely be applied for there as well, just a block north of the proposed Brew Haus. ~Michael Timm