By Maureen Post, Special to OnMilwaukee.com   Published Mar 03, 2008 at 5:31 AM

JJ Stripes, located just off Oklahoma Avenue at 3101 S. 15th Pl., is a typical Wisconsin corner bar. The walls are lined -- floor to ceiling -- with Wisconsin sports memorabilia and bar games (darts, pool and video) are littered throughout the two-room establishment.

JJ Stripes offers a full bar with several domestic beers on tap and a modest selection of imports. A large flat screen TV and several smaller televisions loom over the back of the bar and juxtapose the old-fashioned cash drawer sitting beneath.

Jimmy Dorangrichia, the bar's owner, doesn't offer any specials but there isn't much need when taps sell for $1.25 and imports are $3. JJ Stripes embodies the combination of modern amenity with nostalgic charm. If that isn't reason enough to stop by, Jimmy's conversation is well worth the visit.

With 51 years of experience, Dorangrichia has seen drastic changes in Milwaukee's bar life. However, as he will attest, some things always stay the same.

A South Milwaukee native, Dorangrichia has spent 16 years at his current location. As soon as he starts talking, his love for the hospitality industry becomes clear. Jimmy greets everyone that passes through the door by first name. He cooks Polish sausage and potato salad for patrons on Packers game days and he has sponsored every tavern league sport offered in the area.

What's more, his genuine nature is so endearing that you can see why customers become regulars and staff becomes family. Jimmy invites people into his bar like he's inviting you into his home. This conversation was an example:

OnMilwaukee.com: Does bar ownership run in your family?

Jimmy Dorangrichia: Both of my parents were born in Italy. But I was born in the United States. I have a brother that has owned a bar for 48 years. And my kids come and help out, of course.

OMC: There is so much Badgers, Brewers and Packers memorabilia on your walls. Where did your love of sports come develop?

JD: I've had Badgers football season tickets for 50 years. I follow every sport in the state: football, basketball, baseball, racing.

OMC: What do you think have been the biggest changes in the bar industry in the last 50 years?

JD: The trend in drinking habits has changed in the last 25 years. I can remember 50 years ago, everyone ordered beer and shots. Today, you have all the flavored vodkas and all the bombs. I think the biggest change is the price of beer and whiskey. We used to sell a shot and a beer for 35 cents. Also, the drunk driving laws and the smoking ban, of course.

OMC: What do you think about the smoking ban? Do you think it will ever be passed in Milwaukee?

JD: I don't think so -- not in Milwaukee. If people don't want to drink (around smoke), they shouldn't go into a bar knowing that there is smoking. I have respect for others you know -- I wouldn't come into your house or your car and smoke -- but bars have always had smoking.

OMC: Is there anything about JJ Stripes that people wouldn't necessarily know?

JD: People come and shoot pool, but we don't have a league. Everyone wants to shoot darts today. We've had dart teams that won the state championship and took third in the world tournament in Las Vegas. We have darts every Thursday at 8 p.m. It is a sanctioned league and so teams can qualify for the state tournament.

OMC: Do you serve food?

JD: We don't have a kitchen, but every Sunday I put out a free lunch during the Packers games.

OMC: So you make the meal yourself?

JD: Yes. We have Polish sausages, potato salad and baked beans. And then customers bring in sweets -- like carrot cake and banana cream pie. I'll put out meat and cheese platters sometimes, too. It's good to keep everyone full.

OMC: What do you like most about the bar industry today?

JD: What keeps me going is the younger people. It's what they drink -- the colored vodkas and Jagerbombs.

OMC: Do you ever see yourself anywhere other than JJ Stripes?

JD: I have no intention of ever leaving this location. The customers are friendly and we never really have any problems. I used to work on the North Side of Milwaukee, but the area has changed so much now. I love it here.