WILD PLANET AND CARAVAN HOSPITALITY ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERSHIP
Restructured ownership group will take over operations of Nomad World Pub on Brady Street
The venerable Nomad World Pub on Brady Street is soon to be operated by a new ownership group that includes long-time Milwaukee hospitality stalwarts Drew Deuster and JJ Kovacovich of Wild Planet Hospitality along with Nomad’s original owner, Mike Eitel (of Caravan Hospitality Group). Wild Planet currently owns two other iconic Milwaukee brands—Red Rock Saloon as well as McGillycuddy’s Bar and Grill. Caravan will maintain an interest in the new group as well as continue to operate its other locations—SportClub, Barrel Burrito, and Experts Only.
Wild Planet is set to purchase the Nomad in the coming weeks and plans to be operating ahead of a busy summer season. The new ownership group plans to keep the iconic pub’s ethos intact and the sprawling Nomad “campus” will remain the same– featuring extensive patio areas, a covered deck, a parklet and several buildings including an adjacent house that opened in 2021 as the Nomad Coffee Bar.
Eitel, who opened the pub in March of 1995, will stay on as an operating partner and says he’s thrilled to be joining forces with Deuster and Kovacovich.
“We’ve known each other a long time, we’ve been friends as well as mutual fans over the years– and they just happen to be among the city’s best operators” he said. “This new partnership is going to make Nomad even better going forward,” he continued.
The Nomad, which turns 30 years old next year, is famous for its large street events, soccer culture, and world music vibes. Since its inception, Nomad has been a bastion for diversity and tolerance in Milwaukee. The pub also has a proud history of neighborhood involvement and has become an institution well-known for welcoming all walks of life in the heart of the Historic Brady Street Neighborhood.
Deuster and Kovacovich bring vast operational experience to the Brady Street location having owned and operated several bars and managed major events over the last two decades. “We are really looking forward to expanding our efforts to the Brady Street neighborhood and working with Mike to be a part of all the exciting festivals and events in the coming years,” Deuster said.
The summer promises to be a busy one for the new group as it has plans to host multiple viewing parties on the “Brady Beach” for two month-long soccer tournaments running from mid-June to mid-July. As the tourneys end, they are followed immediately by the arrival of the Republican National Convention, the Brady Street Festival, and the return of the now-annual Harley Davidson Anniversary celebrations.
For Eitel and Kovacovich, it’s a long-awaited reunion of sorts—the two worked together at both the Hi Hat Lounge and Trocadero in the early 2000’s. “Mike and I have talked about doing something together for ages and we are both stoked it’s finally happening” stated Kovacovich, “it’s about time!”
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