Brewery Eyes Former Wisconsin Garden & Pet Supply In Wauwatosa

WAUWATOSA, WI—The Wauwatosa Plan Commission will consider a conditional use permit for a taproom and brewery to replace the former Wisconsin Garden & Pet Supply. The commission will review the permit during its meeting on Sept. 13.

Alex Wenzel is proposing Lion's Tail Brewing Co. take over 8520 W. North Ave., 8524 W. North Ave., and 2315 N. 85th St., according to city documents.

Lion's Tail Brewing Co. has another location in Neenah, Wisconsin.

There is a total of 4,615 square feet of indoor space including renovated versions of the existing garden center (1,333 square feet), the existing pet center (2,228 square feet), and a concourse connector with restrooms (1,054 square feet) which will be new construction.

There will be an outdoor beer garden with seating in the existing covered greenhouse in front of the former garden center, as well as an uncovered area in front of the connecter concourse, the documents said.

The taproom will brew 1,000 to 2,500 barrels per year of high-quality, small-batch craft beer in many different styles, according to city documents.

There will be several different taproom and beer garden-style spaces where customers can enjoy beers and malt beverages (hard seltzer).

"We will offer some snacks to enjoy with our beers, but rely more on partnerships with a variety of food truck operators for our customers to enjoy a more significant dining experience to accompany our beers," the documents said.

Products will be for sale in packaged (can/bottle) format and the brewery will also supply kegged beer to other bars/restaurants in the Milwaukee area.

The brewery will be operated Monday through Friday during typical business hours. The taproom and customer spaces will be open: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The taproom will employ seven full-time employees, as well as 10 to 15 part-time employees, including bartenders and servers.

There will be 14 stalls in the existing paved space to the rear (north) end of the property with access to North 86th Street. Additional parking space to the rear (northeast corner) of the property with access from North 85th Street. Customers can also utilize street parking.