Milwaukee Licenses Committee Meeting - July 17, 2026

The Licenses Committee of the City of Milwaukee met on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 9:03 a.m. in Room 301-B of City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Chair Jocasta Zamarripa and adjourned at 12:36 p.m. All five members were present: Zamarripa, Vice-Chair Andrea Pratt, Peter Burgelis, Alex Brower, and DiAndre Jackson. The sole agenda item was File 260462, a motion relating to the committee's recommendations on several license applications, renewals, and amendments. The committee considered a total of 16 license matters, including renewals, new applications, and requests for amendments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joanna Bautch (VIA CDC Executive Director and neighbor) expressed no concerns with the operation of US Petro but urged the applicant to address a boarded-up property at 2709 W Lincoln Ave, which she described as a persistent nuisance.
• Brisa Van Galen (VIA DCD Economic Development Director) echoed concerns about the same property, noting that three neighbors had complained and that efforts to contact the owner had failed.
• Officer Walker (Community Liaison Officer, District 7) testified against extended hours for Options Restaurant & Lounge due to high crime and the incident where six guns were confiscated.
• Marleny Richiez (2636 N Oakland Ave) supported renewal for Oakland Cafe, stating that the applicant had agreed to clean the area daily and improve communication with neighbors.
• Isaac Hamilton (Chosen Generation Ministries, 5174 N 35th St) opposed the Venom application, citing issues with a nearby bar and concerns about attracting criminal behavior.
• Bryan Rant (Villard Avenue BID 19) opposed Venom, referencing past problems (trash, reckless driving, a homicide) from the previous Cheetah Club and noting nearby schools, a library, and a daycare.
• Kate Thompson (Stainless Foundry and Engineering Inc, 5150 N 35th St) opposed Venom, citing safety concerns for her 150 employees who park on surrounding streets and work multiple shifts.
• Eric Tapper (Pellitteri Waste Systems) opposed Venom, raising parking and traffic issues for large vehicles entering and leaving his facility.
• Greg Kickbush (5045 N 35th St) opposed Venom, describing 20 years of problems from the previous club (broken glass, break-ins, gunfire) and questioning accountability if issues recur.

Discussion Items

• Ebenezer Auto & Repair (4440 W Forest Home Ave): Applicant absent. Held to call of the chair on first nonappearance (vote 3-0, 2 excused).
• US Petro (2931 W Lincoln Ave): Applicant present with attorney. Neighbors raised concerns about a separate dilapidated property owned by the applicant. Chair Zamarripa noted difficulty contacting the owner. Attorney said the applicant had health issues but had begun cleaning. Held to call of the chair for clarification of ownership and LLC structure (vote 5-0).
• La Chinampa (3500 W National Ave): New application for beer and wine. Chair Zamarripa expressed support. Applicant agreed to service bar only. Approved as amended (vote 5-0).
• Quick Pick Food Mart (3332 W Lincoln Ave): Renewal with police report of sale to minor. Attorney said client accepted responsibility, paid fines, and purchased ID verification device. Chair Zamarripa stressed seriousness of selling to minors. Approved with warning letter (vote 5-0). Discussion arose about fine levels and pending legislation.
• Taqueria La Vecindad (1401 S 38th St): Food peddler renewal with health department citations for operating without running water. Initially held, then reconsidered. Health department representative Courtney Langosch noted two violations. Applicant said he empties water tank nightly and insulated pipes. Chair Zamarripa urged compliance and avoiding overweight vehicle routes. Approved with warning letter (vote 5-0).
• Clarks Food (3434 W Oklahoma Ave): Renewal with police report of theft and a confused person. Ald. Burgelis noted he had witnessed pumps operating after hours. Applicant said pumps were reprogrammed. Approved (vote 5-0).
• Splendicare Bar & Grill / Play by Play (3910 W Fond du Lac Ave): Applicant not present. Ald. Jackson noted pending fines had been satisfied. A neighbor (Lydia Melton) appeared in opposition. Held to call of the chair (vote 5-0).
• Options Restaurant & Lounge (4747 N Hopkins St): Renewal with police report including weapons confiscation. Applicant explained improvements (locked safe, ID verification). Officer Walker opposed extended hours. No extended hours request was pending. Approved with warning letter (vote 5-0).
• Oakland Cafe (2979 N Oakland Ave): Renewal with police report of sale of tobacco to minor at another location. Neighbor Marleny Richiez testified in support after a community meeting. Ald. Brower moved to amend plan of operation to include daily cleanup and posting contact information. Approved as amended (vote 5-0).
• Miramar Theatre (2844-46 N Oakland Ave): Renewal with police reports of fights. Ald. Brower summarized an abatement plan including increased security, PatronScan, weekly communication with his office until a September 2026 community meeting, and noise abatement. The abatement plan was added to the plan of operation. Approved as amended (vote 5-0).
• Star Bar (2011 E Ivanhoe Pl #1): New license for a small bar within a plaza. Applicant has 10 years with Newland. No neighbor attendance at community meeting. Approved (vote 5-0).
• Blufox Automotive (3841 W Villard Ave): Renewal with change of hours and request for 3 additional spaces. Ald. Pratt opposed extra spaces due to lot size. Applicant withdrew the request. Approved as amended (vote 5-0).
• Villard Mart (3709 W Villard Ave): New application for extended hours (24/7). Applicant has 20 years experience. Ald. Pratt said neighbors oppose extended hours. Applicant unwilling to amend hours. Held to call of the chair to meet with BID and neighbors (vote 5-0).
• Villard Petro Mart (3709 W Villard Ave): Renewal with police report showing numerous calls. Ald. Pratt noted three murders at the parking lot since her election, loitering, and crime. Applicant agreed to CPTED and meeting with BID. Held to call of the chair with provisional license (vote 5-0).
• Venom (5048 N 35th St): New license for a strip club in an industrial area. Multiple neighbors opposed, citing parking, safety, and past issues with Cheetah Club. Applicant agreed to: open at 6 p.m. daily; have 2 of 6 security guards outside unless emergencies; security on-site all hours. Ald. Pratt expressed frustration that applicant had not engaged neighbors beforehand. Approved as amended (vote 5-0).
• Gold Diggers / Michael Ray Gents Plus LLC (4750 N Hopkins St): Renewal with police report including a shooting with two victims (one deceased). Applicant withdrew adult entertainment and wrestling and amended hours to 6 a.m.–midnight daily. No neighbors testified. Approved as amended with warning letter (vote 5-0).

Key Outcomes

• File 260462 (Overall Motion): Approved as amended by the full committee (vote 5-0).
• Licenses Approved with Amendments: La Chinampa, Quick Pick Food Mart, Taqueria La Vecindad, Clarks Food, Options Restaurant & Lounge, Oakland Cafe, Miramar Theatre, Star Bar, Blufox Automotive, Venom, Gold Diggers.
• Licenses Held: Ebenezer Auto & Repair, US Petro, Splendicare Bar & Grill, Villard Mart, Villard Petro Mart.
• Provisional Licenses: Granted for US Petro (until Aug 31, 2026) and Villard Petro Mart (60 days, extended until September 2026 Committee meeting) to allow continued operation while issues are resolved.
• Specific Directives: US Petro applicant must clarify LLC ownership and meet with neighbors; Villard Mart and Villard Petro Mart applicants must meet with Villard Ave BID and neighbors; Venom applicant must reach out to neighboring businesses; Gold Diggers removed adult entertainment and agreed to earlier closing.