Every Friday, Off The Record looks to other Milwaukee publications (and beyond) for bits of news we missed throughout the week.
• Put your diapers on and buckle the fuck up, Milwaukee (and the world): Zima is coming back.
On Thursday, MillerCoors teased the return of the glorious “malternative” beverage, saying, “If you’re one of the zillion fans who have missed Zima, the answer should be clear [as to why we’re bringing back fucking Zima].” The clear, carbonated alcoholic beverage was first unleashed on college freshmen, young uncles, and those who found Woodchuck a bit daunting in 1994, making the assholes behind Crystal Pepsi look like the chumps we always knew they were. Zima was discontinued in 2008, but since nothing matters anymore, it’s coming back. Bring us the heads of those guys from Bartles & Jaymes. [BizTimes]
• Remember back in January when you deleted your Uber account because of Trump or something? Well go ahead and un-delete that shit now because UberEATS has landed in Milwaukee. The app allows users to order food from more than 70 Milwaukee restaurants that don’t normally deliver. No word yet on how the drivers or restaurants are somehow getting screwed in the deal. [OnMilwaukee]
• It’s gonna be warm this weekend, so there’s gonna be a “this weekend-only” pop-up beer garden at Picnic Area #1 near Whitnall Park. Woo! [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
• The Milwaukee Bucks increased their worth to $785 million, a 16.3 percent jump from last year. It’s one of the largest gains for an NBA franchise, though the team still ranks 27 out of the 30 NBA teams. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• The Milwaukee Public Library system will celebrate the openings of three new libraries in the next three years: a Forest Home branch, a Good Hope Road branch, and a Martin Luther King Jr. branch. [Urban Milwaukee]
• Potawatomi Hotel & Casino is planning to break ground on a second hotel tower sometime this year. The tower will be a 16-story, 150- to 200-room accompaniment to the current 19-story, 381-room hotel. [BizTimes]
• The Fatty Acids released a video for “Strangers/In Your House,” the first (double) single from their upcoming album Dogs Of Entertainment. It’s fucking great. [Midwest Action]
• Milwaukee, which tends to get dumped on by the rest of the state of Wisconsin, subsidizes the rest of the state of Wisconsin. [Urban Milwaukee]
• Urban Milwaukee took a tour of the new River House apartments, located at 1785 N. Water St. The majority of the units in the two-building complex are one-bedroom layouts that start at the low, low “luxury” price of $1,475. [Urban Milwaukee]
• The DoubleTree by Hilton Milwaukee Downtown is springing for $5 million to renovate its lobby, its restaurant, and all of its rooms. The project is expected to be finished by April. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Speaking of hotels, plans for a 14-story glass tower atop the Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center gained approval from Milwaukee’s Historic Preservation Commission. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• The Brewcity Bruisers are expanding their empire to coloring books. Roller Derby And Mermaids and Roller Derby And Monsters, created by Milwaukee artist (and Bruiser) Stacey Williams-Ng, are available now. [OnMilwaukee]
• Liquid City Motors released a new white-knuckle track, “Call The Specialists In.” The artist describes it as “an exercise in repetition and the resultant sense of anticipation.” [Thump]
• City Lights Brewing Co. is vying for “iconic sign” status with the installation of, well, its sign. The sign will be installed on the former Milwaukee Gas Light Co. building, and will be visible from Interstate 94. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Inc. magazine named Milwaukee as one of three unexpected cities for startups. Great job, Milwaukee! [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Speaking of startups, NEWaukee is doing something with startups. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Bobby Tanzilo poked around the old Renaissance Bookstore building, which is kind of a disaster. [OnMilwaukee]
• Remember that old John Mellencamp song “R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A.”? Did you know that the subtitle to that song is “A Salute To 60’s Rock”? Isn’t that kind of adorable, funny, and dorky? Anyway, dude’s playing this year’s State Fair. [OnMilwaukee]
• Saz’s opened a new concession stand in the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena! [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• BelAir Cantina is opening a location in Madison! [FOX6]
• Urban Beets Cafe & Juicery is expanding! [OnMilwaukee]
• Hybrid Lounge is closing! [OnMilwaukee]
• Have a great weekend, Milwaukee!