As Buck Bradley’s wraps up its final days of service at 1019 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., there’s a new concept brewing for the space that housed the popular bar and restaurant for nearly three decades.

Copper is the name of the new bar and restaurant, which is expected to offer guests a slightly elevated dining experience featuring a menu of upscale bar fare and a bar specializing in craft cocktails and locally brewed beer.

Peter Marshall and Jerald Bussen, who also own and operate Pete’s Pub at 1234 E. Brady St., are at the helm of the new concept, which aims to pay homage to Buck Bradley’s history while infusing the venue with modern energy.

A new shine for a classic venue

Marshall, who moved to Milwaukee 15 years ago, worked his way through graduate school at Cardinal Stritch University by managing Milwaukee Brat House, 1013 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.  Along the way, he says, he got to know Buck Bradley’s owner, Wally Paget.

“Wally and his family did such an amazing job with the building,” he says. “And they created a truly special place there. So, as we move forward, we want to be sure to pay homage to the amazing space they created however we can.”

In turn, Marshall says, he’s pulling out a concept that has been percolating in his mind for many years.

“I’ve been sitting on the idea for Copper for a long time,” says Marshall. “And we think it will be a great concept that fills a gap in the market. There are already so many great sports bars in the area. So we are going with something that will be modern and trendy, a sit-down restaurant where guests can relax and enjoy a meal, have a few drinks and watch the game.”

The name reflects Marshall’s love of the bright ductile metal, which will play a starring role in the look and feel of the space through elements like copper fixtures, the lighting at the bar and myriad other accents, including copper flatware.

“I just love the look of copper,” notes Marshall, noting that he takes nostalgic pleasure from sipping cocktails in a coppery mug. “Back in England, some of my first sips of alcohol were shandies that my grandad would make for us on Saturday afternoons," he says. "And he always served them to us in copper mugs.”

Despite the new modern aesthetic, Marshall says they're not planning for a major overhaul of the building.  In fact, one of their top priorities will be maintaining the nearly 77-foot-long bar for which Buck Bradey’s was known.  "We want to spruce the place up," he says. "But we want to preserve the spirit and stay true to the building.

They will also continue to utilize at least one of the second floor event spaces for celebrations and weddings. 

“We have a very special plan for the other space,” he says. “But I can’t tell you what it is…  I don’t really know how to describe it quite yet. But I’m working hard on my elevator speech so that I can share it later.”

As for the bar’s offerings, Marshall says that, in keeping with the venue’s name, the bar will focus on cocktails – including the Moscow Mule and numerous riffs – served in flashy copper mugs. 

“We’ll showcase local spirits,” he says, “And locally-made craft beer. We love to support local brands. It’s such a great way to represent Milwaukee to folks visiting the city and get them to return.”

On the food side, Marshall says the menu will reflect a slightly upscale turn from the bar-style fare they serve at Pete’s.  “We’ll be elevating some of those options,” he says, “But we’ll also be adding things like cheese, charcuterie, salads and entrees to really broaden guests' choices.”

Marshall emphasizes that he feels honored to be assuming ownership of such an iconic venue.

“It’s a bit surreal, I’m not going to lie.” he says. “It’s all very exciting. But the size of the space and the history aren’t lost on me…

"We’re genuinely appreciative to Wally [Paget] and Tom and everyone at Buck Bradley’s. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to take over such a great place. And our goal is to help it to remain that way.”