Milwaukee Brewing & Distilling Company  – owned by Eagle Park Brewing – has announced that its new taproom in Bay View will have its soft opening on Friday, Aug. 2.

A grand opening event with live music and more will take place on Saturday, Aug. 17.

The taproom is in the former Tonic Tavern, 2335 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., which has been renovated.

The new venue will not have a brewhouse. It will feature a range of beers and spirits made by Milwaukee Brewing & Distilling Company at its Muskego facility.

Milwaukee Brewing will continue the Tonic tradition of hosting live music. There is an indoor stage.

Tonic’s large outdoor area has been remodeled.

“Much of the work on the space was cosmetic besides the new patio,” says co owner Jake Schinker. “We loved Tonic Tavern and it was a careful balancing act to choose what to update and what to keep.

“We wanted it to feel new but still keep it familiar to those in the neighborhood that frequented here.”

Eagle Park’s roots are in Bay View, where it opened in 2017 in the Lincoln Warehouse on 1st and Becher Streets.

“Bay View holds a special place in our hearts,” says Schinker. “When we left our original location here in 2018 we were sad to leave, but being back here and being part of the wave of new businesses opening in the area is amazing!

“It already feels like we never left.”

The new taproom was announced this past spring. Tonic Tavern closed in February.

When Eagle Park Brewing and Distilling bought the brands of the closed Milwaukee Brewing Company in September 2022, Schinker told us that he and his partners planned a taproom focused on the brand.

Milwaukee Brewing Company opened in 1997. It closed its Brewery District taproom in August 2022 and sold the business and facility to Pilot Project Brewing.

Eagle Park has taprooms on Milwaukee’s East Side and in Muskego, where it operates its production facility.

MILWAUKEE – A 16-year-old was shot and wounded in Milwaukee on Friday morning, July 26. 

It happened around 1:15 a.m. near 63rd Street and Hope Avenue. 

Police say the victim was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive. No arrests have been made. 

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Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or P3 Tips.     

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Police Department is warning about a new robbery crew.

They say they’re targeting people in the Riverwest and Upper East Side neighborhoods.

On a picture-perfect day in Milwaukee, there’s no shortage of people walking around. But lately, there’s been some caution, with recent robberies in the area.

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“I don’t know what’s going on, but you definitely have to watch your back,” resident Lee Russell said.

FOX6 News obtained an email from MPD – District 1 Capt. Robert Thiel sent to the Downtown Security Network, comprised of security professionals, real estate representatives and law enforcement, warning of a “robbery crew” that “have been active throughout the city, driving around in a “black Lincoln MKC,” a vehicle suspected to be involved in shootings in other parts of the city.

“I definitely stay vigilant. I keep my eyes peeled,” Russell said. “I watch who’s in my vicinity.”

The news of the crew comes at the same time, two people in town for Northwestern Mutual’s annual meeting were robbed on Tuesday night. Police don’t know whether the crimes were done by the same robbery group.

Milwaukee Police Department (MPD)

While people are concerned for their safety, they say the warning about the crimes won’t stop them from living their lives.

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“It’s weird to me, it’s not surprising,” said resident Aaron Poster. “If I stay inside because I’m worried about a robbery crew, I guess then I would never get out of the house.”

Police have arrested two males, one 17 and one 18. They say they are looking for others involved with this robbery crew.