Milwaukee Licenses Committee Meeting - April 8, 2026

The Licenses Committee of the City of Milwaukee met on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 9:10 AM to 5:33 PM at City Hall. The meeting, chaired by Ald. Jocasta Zamarripa, considered a single omnibus file (252108) containing numerous license applications, renewals, and disciplinary matters. Committee members present included Ald. Pratt, Burgelis, Brower, and Jackson. The meeting included public testimony, extensive debate, and multiple votes.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Only Items (9:15 AM): Ald. Burgelis moved approval of a block of applications (Alicia M. Perez Aponte through Joel J. Befus), which passed 4-0 (Pratt joined later). These were routine items with no opposition.
• Warning Letter Items (9:15 AM): Ald. Pratt moved approval of a block of renewals with warning letters (Faisal Riaz, Harbhajan Singh, Tino K. Bates), which passed 4-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Milwaukee Food Market (2903 W Clybourn St.): Lauren Woboril (MHD) testified about a severe pest infestation and that the manager made threats against inspectors. Neighbors did not appear. Ald. Moore expressed concern about the operator’s relationship with drug dealers and requested a walk-through. Ald. Burgelis argued the threats set a terrible precedent.
• Scrap America (3232 W Fond du Lac Ave.): Ann Marie Simms testified that her stolen truck was towed by the business, returned damaged, and not run through the system. The applicant disputed this, claiming a consensual tow with an NMVTIS check.
• AJ King Drive Liquor and Foods (2469 N Martin L King Jr Dr.): Multiple neighbors (Amatullah Umrani, Jamall Conley, Syid Lamuel Molik Morris, Iman Muhammad, David Howard) testified in opposition, citing loitering, litter, drug dealing, public urination, and safety concerns for the adjacent Clara Mohammed School. They requested non-renewal.
• Tittu Rehmat Food (418 E Center St.): Dr. Nitumigaabow Champagne, Cynthia Champagne, Monica Champagne, Greg St. Arnold, and Brian Egger testified about loitering, drug activity, public urination, and the business’s lack of cooperation. Dr. Champagne stated that patrons exposed themselves to his children. Greg St. Arnold conditionally supported the food license but opposed the class A malt license.
• Clark on 27th (2627 W Capitol Dr.): Three neighbors (Timothy Toy, Willey Smith, Jasmin Simmons) testified in support, praising the operator’s generosity and responsiveness. The applicant called police on his own employees after an incident of tying up a suspect.

Discussion Items

• Rosie Lopez – Class D Operator's License: Lopez admitted to prior offenses (battery, OWI) but said she is moving forward. Ald. Jackson moved approval, prevailing 3-0.
• Lisbon Gas & Food (8712 W Lisbon Ave.): Applicant Jaskaran S. Jeji arrived late. Ald. Westmoreland requested a hold due to open DNS orders. The item was held 4-0 after reconsideration.
• Milwaukee Food Market (2903 W Clybourn St.): After testimony from MHD and Ald. Moore, the committee voted 3-1 to hold the item to the call of the chair, over Ald. Burgelis's objection.
• Tacos Guelaguetza (1039 W National Ave.) – Renewal: MHD reported two closures in 2025–2026 for lack of running water. The applicant said it was cold weather. Ald. Burgelis moved approval with a 10-day suspension for threats to public health, which passed 5-0.
• Mid Town Mart (4137 N 56th St.) – New Class A License: Ald. Chambers cited concentration of alcohol licenses in the area (six within 3 miles). Ald. Jackson moved denial based on concentration, prevailing 5-0.
• Lush Social Lounge (5934 N 76th St.) – Renewal with Extended Hours: Ald. Chambers requested a hold for a neighborhood meeting. The item was held 5-0.
• Scrap America (3232 W Fond du Lac Ave.) – Renewal: The applicant explained that out of 3,000 tows, only 5 resulted in stolen vehicle claims. He cited NMVTIS reports and video. Ald. Jackson moved approval with a warning letter, which passed 3-2 over objections from Ald. Zamarripa and Pratt.
• BC Supermarket (4225 W North Ave.) – Renewal: Ald. Stamper reluctantly had no objection after amendments for 3 daily cleanups. Approved 4-0.
• Kitchen 11 Eleven (6800 W Brown Deer Rd.) – PEP Amendment: Ald. Taylor reported non-compliance with the plan of operations (alcohol without food, unlicensed hookah). The applicant agreed to remove most entertainment except hookah. Ald. Burgelis moved renewal with warning letter and approval of amended PEP, which passed 5-0.
• Taste Lounge (4923 W Villard Ave.) – New License: Ald. Pratt amended hours and removed most entertainment after a community meeting. Approved 5-0.
• AJ King Drive Liquor and Foods – Renewal: After extensive public testimony, Ald. Coggs requested a formal mitigation plan before the April 21 Common Council meeting. The item was held 5-0.
• Tittu Rehmat Food (418 E Center St.) – Renewal: The applicant’s attorney outlined a mitigation plan including security and ID scanning. Neighbors opposed. Ald. Brower moved approval of the food dealer license and a 20-day suspension of the class A fermented malt license, based on threats to health/safety. Passed 4-1 (Ald. Burgelis opposed).
• M&M Lounge and Events (2691 S 7th St.) – New License: Ald. Dimitrijevic cited lack of experience and neighborhood support. Ald. Burgelis moved denial, prevailing 4-1.
• Clark on 27th (2627 W Capitol Dr.) – Renewal: Ald. Coggs noted the operator proactively called police and fired employees who assaulted a suspect. Approved with warning letter 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Lazeric Hill – Denied: Second nonappearance; motion by Ald. Burgelis, passed 3-0.
• Rosie Lopez – Approved: 3-0 vote.
• Milwaukee Food Market – Held: 3-1 vote to hold for further review.
• Tacos Guelaguetza – Approved with 10-Day Suspension: 5-0 vote; suspension based on health violations.
• Mid Town Mart – Denied: 5-0 vote based on concentration.
• Scrap America – Approved with Warning Letter: 3-2 vote.
• BC Supermarket – Approved as Amended: 4-0 vote.
• Kitchen 11 Eleven – Renewed and PEP Approved with Warning Letters: 5-0 vote.
• Taste Lounge – Approved as Amended: 5-0 vote.
• AJ King Drive Liquor and Foods – Held: 5-0 vote for mitigation plan.
• Tittu Rehmat Food – Food Dealer Approved, Class A Malt Suspended 20 Days: 4-1 vote.
• M&M Lounge and Events – Denied: 4-1 vote.
• Clark on 27th – Approved with Warning Letter: 5-0 vote.
• File 252108 – Approved as Amended: Final omnibus motion by Ald. Jackson, passed 5-0.