In July, I reported that Dave & Buster's, founded in 1982 and headquartered in Dallas, would bring its high-energy restaurant / entertainment concept to Wauwatosa.
Just this week, though, Wauwatosa's Community Development Committee voted, 4-2, against allowing a new Dave & Buster's where I reported it would open, the old Ewald dealership site, 2201-2215 N. Mayfair Rd.
Committee concerns ranged from security to traffic to noise; oddly, all things that happen at Mayfair Mall nearly every day.
"I just don't know that it fits right there," Ald. Linda Nikcevich said during the meeting. Ald. Dennis McBride said he was concerned about security and "hours of operation" at the 32,000-sq. ft. proposed location that would neighbor a huge Walgreen's.
I'll let you form your own opinion about Wauwatosa's Community Development Committee, and please express them via the Talkbacks. For me, I'll suggest that D&B take their idea and come on Downtown; we'll have you in the Park East or how about at The Brewery development?
Seems odd for Wauwastosa to turn away business from the region. So, if Wauwatosa shuns Dave & Buster's, I say let's find a way to keep them in the area and build one Downtown.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
