The owners of the Milwaukee Brat House are opening a second location in the former Oakcrest Tavern in Shorewood.
Andy Fronek and Scott Schaefer are planning to lease the space at 4022 N. Oakland Ave., pending the village’s June 5 approval of the liquor license transfer, Fronek said.
The Shorewood location will be a replica of the downtown Milwaukee restaurant, which was expanded in October and has been featured numerous times on the Travel Channel and Food Network.
“We’ve been looking to expand our brand for the last two years, but didn’t want to be too close to downtown,” Fronek said. “We look forward to being part of the Village of Shorewood.”
Last summer, Schaefer bought the restaurant’s downtown location at 1013 N. Old World Third St. for $1.2 million and added a second level to the building for overflow crowds and events.
Schaefer opened the Milwaukee Brat House in May 2008.
Fronek said having the name “Milwaukee” in the restaurant’s title draws many tourists who do google searches for “brats” when they arrive to town.
Being featured on national reality television shows including “Top 5 Bar Foods in America,” on the Food Network and “Bizarre Foods Delicious Destinations” on the Travel Channel has also helped draw guests, Fronek said.
Fronek expects the new Milwaukee Bucks arena, opening next year one block away from the restaurant, to be good for the business.
“The buzz right now downtown is phenomenal,” he said. “There are challenges with parking and the construction, but it will absolutely be worth it.”
