Milwaukee Licenses Committee Meeting - April 28, 2026

The Licenses Committee met on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, beginning at 9:07 AM and adjourning at 4:00 PM in Room 301-B of City Hall. Chaired by Ald. Jocasta Zamarripa, the committee considered file 252234, a motion relating to recommendations of the Licenses Committee relating to licenses. The agenda included dozens of applications for operator's licenses, tavern licenses, food dealer licenses, extended hours permits, and other permits. Numerous items were approved, while some were held or denied. Public testimony was heard on several contested applications.

Consent Calendar

• Routine approvals and unanimous actions included:
  • Agenda-only items (e.g., Nationwide Recovery, Thai-Namite Restaurant, Milwaukee Marriott Downtown, Zilli Lake & Gardens, McBob's Pub and Grill, American Sub) moved by Ald. Pratt and approved 5-0.
  • Warning letter items (e.g., Villard Pump & Pantry, Hampton Mobil, Truth Lounge, Pinkey's Capital Auto Body, Juba Food Market, AS Petro Mart, Kettle Range Meat Company, Petro Mart, La Hacienda) moved by Ald. Brower and approved 5-0.
• The full file 252234 was moved by Ald. Burgelis and recommended for approval 5-0.
• File 201619 (ordinance relating to sale of intoxicating liquor by the glass for consumption away from premises) was placed on file 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Edwin Thawes (710 S 3rd St), a 12-year resident, opposed Indeed Brewing Company's PEP license, alleging the business held unlicensed events and violated noise ordinances even with noise variance permits. He stated the city attorney is actively prosecuting Indeed.
• Asia Leach (3323 N 22nd St), a licensed social worker and sister of the assault victim, opposed Dragon's Place renewal. She stated that security was not identifiable and failed to protect patrons, leading to her brother's severe traumatic brain injury requiring long-term care.
• Natasha Williams (address not given) opposed Lush Social Lounge renewal, complaining of accumulated garbage, rats, and vehicles parked in the alley blocking access.
• Stephanie Harling (Executive Director BID 31) testified that Lush Social Lounge had not cooperated with offered assistance for cameras and lighting, and that the business negatively impacts community resources.
• Roshounda Cleveland opposed Gold Diggers, citing persistent noise, loitering, and late-night disturbances seven days a week. She stated she has testified for years.
• Yvette Wright (4827 N 22nd St) supported Gold Diggers, stating the shooting that killed her son was a personal matter between her son and the shooter, not the club's fault.
• Josephine Key (3146 N Buffum St) supported A&R Foods, noting the owner's efforts to improve despite neighborhood issues like loitering and theft by minors.

Discussion Items

• Shannon Carlson (Class D Operator): Applicant admitted to four OWI convictions but presented compliance letters from treatment and a job offer at the stadium. Ald. Burgelis noted alcohol is highly regulated at the stadium and moved approval. Prevailed 4-0.
• Adli Jaber (Friendly Market): Sold tobacco to a minor; new ID scanning system installed. Ald. Brower moved approval with warning letter. Prevailed 5-0.
• Robert Montemayor (Monterrey Market): Sold alcohol to a minor due to language barrier; clerk fired. Ald. Brower moved approval with warning letter. Prevailed 5-0.
• Khawar Khaliq (Petro Mart): Operated without extended hours license for months; MPD reported multiple incidents. Extended hours license was approved in January 2026. After debate about operating hours and neighborhood issues, Ald. Burgelis moved renewal with warning letter. Prevailed 5-0.
• Cory Carrigan (RC Towing and Cove): Two new applications for adjacent businesses. After discussion, RC Towing approved with age restriction 21+ and hours 5pm-midnight. Cove approved with age restriction 30+ and same hours. Both motions prevailed 5-0.
• Cullen Voss (Indeed Brewing Company): PEP license application; neighbor Edwin Thawes testified against. Applicant stated he had noise variance permits but acknowledged operating without PEP license. Ald. Burgelis moved approval with warning letter, citing consistency. Prevailed 4-0 (Ald. Pratt opposed).
• Reyn Wang (Dragon's Place): Renewal after serious assault incident. Committee amended plan to include minimum one security guard at all times. Ald. Jackson moved approval with warning letter as amended. Prevailed 5-0.
• Givionte Mull (Lush Social Lounge): Multiple violations including operating without license, garbage issues, and loitering. Committee amended plan of operations for larger trash receptacle and twice-weekly pickup. Ald. Pratt moved approval of renewal with 20-day suspension and denial of hour change (closing 12am). Prevailed 5-0.
• Angela Evans (Gold Diggers): Police report included a shooting, battery, noise complaints. After testimony from opponent Roshounda Cleveland and supporter Yvette Wright, Ald. Pratt moved to hold item to clarify transfer of entertainment license to new location. Prevailed 5-0.
• Vipulkumar Patel (USmile Airport Station): New 24-hour gas station application. Ald. Spiker raised concerns about management and relationship with property owner. Ald. Zamarripa moved denial. Prevailed 5-0.
• Jason Pehowski (Always Towing): Objection based on alleged connection to D2 Towing; applicant denied and noted he helped shut down D2 Towing. No opposition present. Ald. Jackson moved approval. Prevailed 5-0.
• Julian Nelson (Julian's Hall and Lounge): Underage party incident with fights and alcohol citation. Applicant stated he pleaded not guilty because parents were present and no alcohol was served to minors. Ald. Brower moved approval. Prevailed 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: Most motions passed 5-0, with a few exceptions (dos Compitas held 3-1-1; Indeed Brewing 4-0; some items had excused members). Quorum was present throughout.
• Denials: One application denied: Vipulkumar Patel for USmile Airport Station (24-hour gas station) – denial 5-0.
• Holds: Multiple items held to call of the chair, including Gold Diggers (pending transfer plan), El Paraiso (pending investigation by city departments), Taco Bell (pending meeting with alderman), dos Compitas (pending jury trial on May 4, 2026), and several first-time non-appearances.
• Suspensions: Lush Social Lounge received a 20-day suspension for failure to comply with plan of operations, based on preponderance of evidence in police report and testimony.
• Referrals: Applicants with pending court cases (e.g., dos Compitas) were held to allow adjudication. Committee encouraged communication with aldermanic offices.
• Meeting Timeline: The meeting convened at 9:07 AM, paused at 12:56 PM, reconvened at 1:25 PM, and adjourned at 4:00 PM.