People's Park gastropub to take over site after Flannery's closes in downtown Milwaukee
Longtime downtown Milwaukee bar Flannery's is closing just three months after the building that houses it was sold to an investors group.
Assessment records show that James Taylor, of JT Wells Milwaukee LLC, bought the building Oct. 19 for $949,400. Taylor co-owns People's Park gastropub in Waukesha and Taylor's, next door to the current Flannery's, with his brother Daniel. A second location of People's Park is planned at the site, at 425 E. Wells St., Taylor said.
"People's Park in Waukesha has been there since 2010, and it's had uncanny success out there," Taylor said. "Now it will be on the most prominent corner in downtown Milwaukee."
They are looking to build out the space to replicate Waukesha's People's Park, which would include building a second floor patio and glass atrium, with seating for more than 160 patrons.
Taylor said that they will also replicate People's Park's food menu of everything from filet and salmon to chicken sandwiches and burgers, and their drink menu of tapped beer, wine and cocktails such as old fashioneds and martinis.
Also similar to People's Park and Taylor's, the owners will have artwork throughout the new restaurant-bar.
Cathedral Square renaissance
Taylor said he believes Cathedral Square is in a renaissance, and it's a great time to expand People's Park to downtown Milwaukee.
From 2018 through the COVID-19 pandemic, Cathedral Square lost various prominent bars and restaurants including Louise's, Mikey's, Whiskey Bar, Phoenix and Bad Genie.
Now, Taylor points to the opening of new restaurants, such as Safina's and Electric Lime, taking over the spaces of Phoenix and Mikey's respectively, as evidence that Cathedral Square is back to being one of the prime spots in downtown Milwaukee.
"Jefferson Street has always had a clear artistic and sophisticated feel to it, and it's hard to take that away," Taylor said. "It's close to City Hall. The Ascent condo project just went up, and the 7Seventy7 building is there. So many high rises went up for apartments and condos, and those people need a place to eat."
Taylor also cited the upcoming Republican National Convention in downtown Milwaukee as a reason to expand his footprint in Cathedral Square. He said his goal is for People's Park to open in time for the RNC in summer 2024.
Flannery's closing
Flannery's announced Thursday on Facebook that after 25 years in business its last day of business is Jan. 29, with a happy hour celebration on Jan. 25.
"Back late last year our building was sold to another entity. They decided not to renew our lease," Steven Smith, co-owner of Flannery's, told the Journal Sentinel. "We were operating on a month-to-month basis, and we thought it was time to close and move on."
Smith said it was sad to see Flannery's go after 25 years.
"In this business the biggest thing is you miss the staff and loyal customers and events, whether it's Jazz in the Park or Bastille Days," Smith said. "I've had a real outpouring of support, and I hope everyone stops by and bids farewell to the location."
Smith said they will continue to own and operate the Flannery's at the Fire Ridge Golf Club, 2241 County Road W. in Grafton.
The purchased Milwaukee building includes Real Chili, 419 E Wells St., and Taylor's, 795 N. Jefferson. Taylor said both will stay in their spaces.
Tom Daykin of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.
More:Milwaukee-area restaurants that permanently closed in 2022
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee bar Flannery's closing making way for downtown People's Park
