Committee approves Class B tavern, public entertainment license for Persona Bar with operating-hours amendment

The West Allis Economic and Development Committee approved a new Class B tavern and public entertainment license for Persona Bar, LLC, at 6404 West National, with an amendment to the hours of operation to align with state-allowed hours.

The committee’s action on Item 23 followed questions about a prior incident in 2019 involving the location and clarification from the applicant’s agent, Shani Buckner. The committee amended the hours listed on the application and approved the license by voice vote.

Committee members noted the bar location had previously operated under a different owner and that the current application initially listed hours that did not reflect state legal operating hours. The chair and several committee members pressed Buckner about the 2019 police report and whether the business had been operating without an active Class B license at that time. Buckner responded, "I paid for the license, but I don't know if, like, I forgot. Like, I don't think I had to come back here and really..." and later said the event referenced in the police report had been a "private party." The committee also confirmed the building owner is Juan Seindale and that the business manager and agent would share operational responsibilities.

The committee suggested the applicant amend the application to reflect the state-allowed opening times rather than the 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. span that appeared on the paperwork and discussed the need to avoid serving minors, overserving visibly intoxicated patrons, and prohibiting indoor hookah or similar tobacco products. A motion to approve the license with the amended hours was made and seconded; the chair called the vote and "ayes have it." The clerk's office will notify the applicant when the license is ready.

Committee members made clear this approval carries an expectation of compliance: the chair said past violations had resulted in denials and framed the approval as a warning that future violations could prompt formal action. The committee also encouraged the applicants to call police if disturbances occur and not fear reporting criminal activity at the establishment.

The clerk will contact Persona Bar when the license is issued; the committee noted the applicant will need a separate food permit if the business serves prepared food beyond simple items such as frozen pizzas.