Be MKE: 'Best city in America,' a whiskey bar opening and a new police chief

Who we are. Where we go. What we need to know.

"Oh, you live in Milwaukee? Oh, I'm sorry."

Don't be sorry. No. 1 I like Milwaukee. No. 2 brew city just beat New York in a "best city in America" tournament on Twitter. Yes, it was highly scientific. Milwaukee beat New York City in the poll with 70.4% of the vote.

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Let's talk business

Marcus Corp. has turned a profit for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Milwaukee-based hotel and theater operator reported its first profitable quarter with a net income of $1.8 million. At this time last year, the company had a $39.4 million loss. “Our results for the third quarter affirm the recovery is accelerating in both our divisions,” said Gregory S. Marcus, president and chief executive officer, in a statement.

A cheese production, packaging and distribution facility is coming to Franklin. Canadian dairy processor Saputo Inc. is going to build a $60 million facility in a new Franklin business park. The new Saputo plans will have around 600 employees. Construction will begin late this year or early in 2022. The goal is to have the plant operational by early 2023.

The historic Paul Weise Furniture building on Farwell Ave. (you'll recognize it) is going to be converted into apartments. The building at 1534 N. Farwell Ave. was sold to a new owner who will turn it into 11 apartments. The units should be available late next year or early in 2023. The building, constructed in 1891, will preserve a lot of its historic character while undergoing about $3 million in renovations. The building was designed by the same architect as the Charles Alis Art Museum.

Privately held companies don't have to tell the public how much money they bring in each year. So it can be hard to get a sense of just how big private businesses are. The Journal Sentinel teams up with Deloitte every year to gather information about the revenue at private companies in the state and then rank them. Participation in the program is voluntary. Taking the No. 1 spot on the Wisconsin 75 this year is Northwestern Mutual, again. SC Johnson, the maker of household products like Windex, landed the No. 2 spot. The whole list is here. Go see where Kohler Co, Kwik Trip and Epic ranked.

What isn't canceled

The re:Craft & Relic holiday market will have about 150 vendors from the Midwest at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex this weekend. The market will run Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $7 (kids under 12 are free).

Mark this on your Black Friday calendar: beer releases are back. A handful of breweries in the Milwaukee area are bringing out specialty beers on the day after Thanksgiving. Lakefront, Eagle Park and Third Space are just a few of the spots you can stop on Black Friday for a once-a-year brew.

Because we're starting to talk about the holidays, I'm going to share this one here because you might be welcoming visitors to our fine city. Here are 18 ideas of things to do inside (because winter) in Milwaukee when you have out-of-towners.

Don’t go hangry

There's a new whiskey bar and restaurant in the Washington Heights neighborhood. Whiskey Haze has opened at 5513 W. North Ave. The bar has 75 kinds of bourbons, ryes and single-malt and blended Scotch whiskeys. The kitchen serves dinner and snacks. I need to try the burger because the bun comes from Rocket Baby Bakery. There's also a Portuguese pot roast, risotto with roasted vegetables and cheese and charcuterie boards.

Heaven's Table BBQ is moving from Crossroads Collective fool hall to the west side (next to Whiskey Haze). The new Heaven's Table BBQ at 5507 W. North Ave. in the coming weeks. It will leave Crossroads Collective at the end of the year. At the new location, Heaven's Table will expand its menu to include fries, dessert and maybe breakfast sandwiches.

Here are the talkers

The huge infrastructure package that passed through Congress last week is going to bring money to Wisconsin. The package is $1.2 trillion. About $15 billion of it is set to go toward lead service line replacement. Milwaukee needs around $750 million to replace all the lead pipes in the city. Here's what the federal package could mean for Milwaukee's lead hazards. The bill also puts money behind expanding Internet access. Wisconsin will get at least $100 million for broadband expansion through the bill.

Milwaukee has a new police chief. Jeffrey Norman was unanimously selected to be the police chief for the next four years. Norman is a Milwaukee native who joined the department in 1996. Norman has been serving as chief in an acting capacity since December of 2020. He is the second Black man to be named chief.

The last time I wrote this newsletter was before all the Aaron Rodgers drama. So I will summarize it for you here. Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19. Many in the public thought he had received the vaccine because he told reporters he was "immunized" earlier this year. He did not receive the vaccine. Then he went on the Pat McAfee show to talk about the decision to not get vaccinated. During that explanation, he shared incorrect information about the vaccines, like his concerns about fertility. He also said he was taking ivermectin but it is not a proven treatment for COVID-19. The quarterback has been put on blast by many people, including Bucks legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Rodgers went on the Pat McAfee show again yesterday. He conceded that he did mislead people about his vaccination status. The NFL has fined the team, Rodgers and wide receiver Allen Lazard for violating protocols.

Be MKE,

Sarah

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My purebred mutt Nala is living her best life on my Instagram @HauerSarah. Keep up with my gif game on Twitter @SarahHauer. Questions, comments and Be MKE love can be sent to shauer@journalsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Be MKE: 'Best city in America,' a whiskey bar opening and police chief