By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Feb 16, 2009 at 5:08 PM

Yesterday, Albanese’s on Keefe quietly served its last plate of pasta. The last Frank Sinatra tune droned from the jukebox. The last basket of free bread perched on a red-and-white-checkered tablecloth.

"We’re closed now for good. The economy is rough," said an employee who wished to remain anonymous.

The mom-and-pop Italian restaurant opened in 1941 on Juneau and Water and opened in Riverwest 20 years later. In June 2007, Michael Vergiels and Jody Kelly took over the Italian eatery and added a lunch menu in a final attempt to attract diners.

Albanese's in Mequon, 12020 N. River Rd., and Albanese's Roadhouse, 2301 Bluemound Rd., will remain open.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.