Every Friday, Off The Record looks to other Milwaukee publications (and beyond) for bits of news we missed throughout the week.
• After years languishing as an incredible and inspiring icon/T-shirt that could merely be marketed or purchased for $50-$180, the so-called “People’s Flag of Milwaukee” may finally become the official flag of Milwaukee. Someone get Roman Mars on the horn, because the city’s grassroots symbol of pride and unity (that’s what the color white represents!) may soon be grassroots no more. In your face, Reno!
Yes, according to Urban Milwaukee, three Milwaukee alderman—Khalif Rainey, Cavalier Johnson, and Robert Donovan—have introduced a resolution to make the People’s Flag all official like. The Steering and Rules Committee will discuss the matter June 7; after that, the Common Council could take up the matter as early as June 20. Urban Milwaukee also provides this reminder/shade:
The 1955 flag does have its defenders, although Matt Wild, one of the most high profile critics of Kodis’ effort to change the flag, has recently given up.
Oh, and unless someone sets up an online petition or something (hint hint), we’re no longer selling our People’s Socks of Milwaukee. [Urban Milwaukee]
• Wisconsin-based financial tech firm Fiserv is going to become the naming-rights sponsor for the new Milwaukee Bucks arena! [Sports Business Daily]
• Wisconsin-based financial tech firm Fiserv is NOT going to become the naming-rights sponsor for the new Milwaukee Bucks arena! [Urban Milwaukee]
• Whatever the arena ends up being called, Good City Brewing will definitely be setting up shop in the adjoining “live block.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
• Milwaukee chefs Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite are bringing Fauntleroy to the former Coquette Cafe, 316 N. Milwaukee St. The restaurant, set to open sometime in mid-summer, will focus on “serving French cuisine in a 1970s-rock inspired setting that’s fun and approachable.” [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Summerfest is banning backpacks and other large bags this year, so just leave ’em at home. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
• Someone’s gonna paint a mural inside that weird little Jefferson Street pedestrian tunnel between downtown and the Third Ward. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Beginning June 5, Hawthorne Coffee Roasters will be parking a coffee truck next to Taco Moto outside the bustling Boone & Crockett/Pedal Tavern/Paddle Tavern/Cooperage complex at 818 S. Water St. [OnMilwaukee]
• Former Park East Hotel operator Harjeet “Rick” Walia bought the former RC’s bar, 1530 E. North Ave., for a cool $800,000. Plans for the East Side property have yet to be unveiled. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
• Broken Bat Brewery, 231 E. Buffalo St., is hoping to re-open in time for Summerfest. The Third Ward brewery closed in May following a steam pipe explosion. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• That empty downtown Bruegger’s Bagel shop is gonna be an Angry Taco. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• A new “micro co-working space” is opening on Milwaukee’s East Side. Work Lofts will be located on the second floor of the former Izumi’s, 2140 N. Prospect Ave., above the new Kanpai 2 restaurant. [BizTimes]
• Have a great weekend, Milwaukee!