Bella's Fat Cat owner Michael Schmidt announced he's closing his Brady Street location on Tuesday, April 1.
Although Bella's began as a jumbo burger and custard shop at 1233 E. Brady St. over seven years ago, Schmidt says he's closing to better focus on his other two locations -- 2737 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., which opened in 2004, and 2974 N. Oakland Ave., which opened in 2005. He says the newer locations "fit the prototype for future restaurants."
Size, accessibility and parking played a roll in the decision. "With a focus on where we want to be in five years, this particular building does not fit our profile," says co-owner Kim Schmidt of the Brady Street locale.
Meanwhile, Dogg Haus owner Mazen Muna, who operates a Chicago-style hot dog shop at 1433 E. Brady St. (as well as at 1633 W. Wells St. and 318 E. Wisconsin Ave.), has purchased the building and says he plans to open The Burger Joint, a restaurant with "an old-style gangster theme in a fun atmosphere." He hopes to be open May 1.
Stay tuned to OnMilwaukee.com for more details on the Brady Street dining change as they develop.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
