Fred Gillich, owner of Too Much Metal For One Hand, acquired the Sydney HIH letters that once adorned the iconic Milwaukee building. The letters are on display at Tavern at Turner Hall, 1040 N. Vel Phillips Ave., which opens to the public for the first time at a soft opening at 4 p.m. Saturday.
"People are invited any time after 4 p.m. to stop by and check it out," says Gillich.
The Sydney HIH name appeared on two sides of the building and Gillich is optimistic he will acquire the rest of the letters as well.
"I have one complete set and am missing four letters of the other set, but I have a lead on them as of right now," he says.
The Sydney HIH (pronounced "high") complex stood on the corner of 3rd and Juneau from the mid-1800s to 2012 and served as a sanctuary of counter-culture that was inhabited by bands, artists and businesses including the Unicorn nightclub, Betty’s Bead Bank, Gus’ Mexican Cantina and more.
Read more about Sydney HIH and those who loved it in this article.
The Sydney HIH letters will be on display at Tavern at Turner Hall until Dec. 31. Mike Eitel, owner of Nomad World Pub, Panga, SportClub and other venues, is the operator.
Gillich says he is unable to disclose whom he purchased the letters from, but he's thrilled to have them.
"Looking forward to it. Proud to preserve some real Milwaukee history," says Gillich.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
