By Jeff Sherman OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer Published Jul 28, 2010 at 3:32 PM

The Applebee's at Midtown Center, 5712 W. Capitol Dr., has closed.

Today, the neighborhood's alderman Joe Davis, Sr. issued a statement with details.  I thought I'd share it with you as it includes not only Davis' assessment of the closing but his thoughts on the state of Midtown Center. 

"Today, we learned that despite their best strategies and solid customer service, Applebee's at Midtown Center has been forced to close permanently on Wednesday, July 28, 2010. In a statement to me, Applebee's Chief Development Officer explained that they have proudly served in the area for more than six years, but despite attempts to innovate and operate through our current economic crisis, the restaurant has been forced to close.

"Earlier this year, Applebee's in Sturgeon Bay area was closed due to the same circumstances.

"The company is offering its Applebee's Midtown employees positions at a number of its other Applebee's restaurants around the Milwaukee area.

"Applebee's would like to thank their restaurant team, their guests and the Midtown neighborhood for allowing them to be part of the community over the years.

"I am confident that space at Midtown Center will be filled with a thriving business promptly and am constantly pleased with how the area around the center continues to develop and sustain a vibrant shopping district. I am confident this progress will continue and though I am disappointed Applebee's can no longer be our partner in this center, I must thank each proprietor in Midtown Center for their commitment to our residents and I welcome the next business to join the shopping district."

Applebee's has 16 other locations in the greater Milwaukee area.

Jeff Sherman OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer

A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.

He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.

Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.  He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.  

He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.

He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.