It was exactly seven years ago today that Fuel on 5th opened its doors at 630 S. 5th St. But, due to the impact of the hardships that have persisted in the restaurant community, the Walker’s Point Cafe has closed, effectively immediately.
Kristyn O'Laughlin, principal owner and CEO of Fuel addressed the closing in a statement sent by email this morning:
“After much reflection and careful consideration, we have made the incredibly tough decision to close Fuel Café 5th Street,” she wrote. “This decision was not made lightly, and it comes after exploring every possible avenue to continue operations in a sustainable way.
“While this chapter comes to an end, we are incredibly grateful for the support of our loyal customers and dedicated team that made Fuel 5th a special place.”
“Our team members are the heart of everything we do and we are committed to supporting them through this transition. All will have the opportunity to apply for open positions at our other locations.
“Fuel Cafe has always been more than just a café and restaurant, it has been a community, a gathering place, and a home for so many of us,” O'Laughlin adds. “I want to personally thank the entire Fuel team for their dedication and all the incredible memories we’ve created together. Fuel Café 5th Street may be closing, but the impact we have had on our community will remain.”
Those words are not disingenuous.
Both Fuel on 5th and the original Fuel Cafe in Riverwest have served as beloved gathering places for Milwaukeeans -- collectively for nearly 40 years. They've provided spaces that welcomed Milwaukeeans to be themselves, whomever that might be. And they've served up nourishing traditions like the Wasabi Veggie Melt, the Buttafuoco, Cheesy Tomato sandwiches, the Kvorkian Crush... and yes, countless gallons of "killer coffee".
Cheers, Fuel. You will be missed.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
