Vitucci's Cocktail Lounge opened in 1934, and it closed this week, most likely for good, according to owner Mike Vitucci of Illinois (not the "Milwaukee Mike Vitucci," who is his cousin).
Although four generations of Vituccis have operated the popular East Side lounge, there are no longer any interested family members. Thus, the building will soon be listed for sale.
Vitucci cites the cyclical change on North Avenue that switched the scene from mostly-drinking to drinking-and-dining as the main reason for the tough decision to shutter.
"It's tough to stay active here now when you don't serve food," he says.
Vitucci says he feels both sad and relieved by the decision.
"This has been very weird for me. I'd like to see someone take it over and run with it," he says. "North Avenue has a lot to offer and it was always very good to my family."
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.
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