There’s a second location in the works for The Fermentorium, the craft brewery and tasting room that opened in 2016 at 7481 Hwy. 60 in Cedarburg.

The new location, which is expected to open sometime early this summer, will occupy just over 3,000 square feet at 6933 W. North Ave. and function as both a tap room and a barrel aging facility.

"I’ve had my eyes open for for locations where I could start a sour beer program," says owner Kristopher Volkman, noting that beer will not be brewed at the East Tosa location. Instead, the wort for the beer will be produced at the Fermentorium facility in Cedarburg and transported to the East Tosa location for aging in barrels or fouders, larger wooden fermentation tanks used to age sour beer and wine.

The interior of the space, Volkman says, is still in the planning stages. However, he says the tap room will feature a long bar, as well as seating at both community tables and low-tops. They also hope to add a glass garage-style door along the 70th Street side of the building, providing an open air feel during the summer months.

Volkman says it serendipitous connection to commercial real estate agent David Glazer, who assisted him with securing his lease in Cedarburg, that led him to the East Tosa location.

"I’m really excited to be part of the neighborhood," he says. "It seems like a really open, collaborative business environment, so it was a natural fit for us."

Pending approvals and construction timelines, Volkman says he would like to see the venue open as soon as June. Once open, tap room are expected to be Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to midnight and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.

Fro Zone

Fro Zone, another swiftly expanding business, is also slated for a fourth location on the eastern side of the same building.

The ice cream shop, which specializes in Thai-style rolled ice cream sundaes, also operates locations on Brady Street and in the food court at Brookfield Square. A third location will be opening in the next few weeks at Southridge Mall.

According to co-owner Mike Kaid, the East Tosa location is currently in process. The 1,100-square foot shop will feature seating for 20-25 as well as a sidewalk patio.

As for the menu, Kaid says Fro Zone’s options have increased significantly since the business launched this summer.

"We’ve updated our menu from six options to about 20 flavors," he says, noting that they’ve added additional fruit flavors along with a line of scoopable cookie dough in flavors including chocolate chip, birthday cake, monster cookie, brownie fudge and red velvet.

"We’ve also upgraded our ice cream base to a custard base," he says. "People love custard in Milwaukee, so we’ve made changes to our recipe to improve both its flavor and texture."

Kaid says the new shop is likely to be open sometime in late April or early May.

The bigger picture

Both The Fermentorium and Fro Zone are part of a larger vision that’s come to fruition for the the former Bartz Party Store on North Avenue.

David Glazer, a commercial real estate broker who took on a new role as developer for the East Tosa Centre, says that his interest in the project grew from his appreciation for the area.

"I’ve lived in Wauwatosa for 25 years," he says, noting that his brokerage business has focused primarily in both East Tosa and the Village. "So when I heard that the building was available, I saw it as a great opportunity. As a broker, I had a good sense of what people were looking for."

From there, Glazer secured an investor, who then asked if he’d take a lead in developing the property.

"Our goal right from the start," he says. "Was to be a part of the revitalization of this classic neighborhood, he says. "We wanted to create a development that not only looked great, but which contained a harmonious mix of tenants all of which would be assets to the neighborhood."

In addition to Fro Zone and The Fermentorium, the building is also home to two businesses which opened this fall: Mathnasium, a learning center focused on bolstering math skills for second through twelfth grade students and Club Pilates, a workout studio offering regular classes.

Glazer says all of the businesses fill a palpable need in the community, which contains many young families, as well as young professionals who enjoy trying out new food and beverage options. "And there’s never enough ice cream," he says with a laugh, noting that the economic impact of the development is also an exciting aspect of the project.

"Jobs are being created," he says. "And that’s building dollars in the community. It’s the multiplier effect in play, and that’s good for everyone."