Wauwatosa Biz Buzz: Ray's Growler Gallery to build patio; Innovation Campus hotel moves ahead

Ray's Growler Gallery approved to add a patio

The Wauwatosa Plan Commission gave approval to Ray's Growler Gallery April 13 to add a seasonal patio in the front of its building, 8930 W. North Ave., where patrons can order beer, wine and cocktails.

The patio will be built where there is currently a concrete area with planters, between the building and sidewalk. It will seat a maximum of 30 people and must close by 11 p.m. daily.

'Speakeasy,' Popeye's, Wauwatiki step ahead

Lucky Joe's Alchemy and Eatery, a speakeasy-style bar and restaurant, got conditional-use approval from the plan commission April 13 to open in the former One Way Cafe location at 1425 Underwood Ave. in the Wauwatosa Village.

The commission also approved conditional use permits for a tiki bar at 6502 W. North Ave. and Popeye's restaurant at 10920 W. Burleigh St.

The common council will also have to approve these permits.

The plan commission held approval for the Thirsty Duck, a bar and duckpin bowling alley proposed for 11320 W. Bluemound Road by the owners of Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pub next door. Commission members asked the owners to have a neighborhood meeting and present more detailed plans before the next commission meeting, May 11.

Hotel, after all, coming to Innovation Campus

After being denied financial assistance from the city for a special building foundation in February, developers said they might scrap plans for a Marriott Residence Inn at Innovation Campus.

But plans are moving ahead and construction is scheduled to begin in about two months, according to Ed Walsh, a broker with Alpine Realty, representing developer Hospitality Specialists.

Walsh said the developer plans to cover the cost for the foundation, previously estimated at about $380,000. The foundation is needed to stabilize the building on the site because of unsettled fill left on the property by Milwaukee County and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.