Licenses committee approves renewals, amends entertainment and operating conditions; holds and withdrawals noted

The Milwaukee Licenses Committee reviewed multiple license applications, renewals and operating-plan amendments during a meeting on June 27. Committee members approved the majority of routine renewals and took specific actions where public-safety, health inspections or neighborhood concerns were raised.

Key approvals and amendments

- Paul Leonard Wiggum (Village Avenue): Renewal of a food/alcohol application was approved by the committee (moved by Alderman Andrea Pratt).

- Guelaguetza / Lucia Antonio Perez (2537 W. National Ave.): Applicant amended the Public Entertainment Premises (PEP) request to remove live bands, instrumental musicians, DJ, patrons dancing and entertainment-for-private-events from the application and instead requested five amusement machines. The applicant also agreed to amend the plan of operation to close at midnight; the committee approved the amended application as presented.

- Antojitos (Gabriel Ostos Dominguez) food truck: The Milwaukee Health Department had an objection on file after inspectors documented three violations this winter and early 2025 for operating without handwashing water (Dec. 10, Jan. 14 and Jan. 29). Director of Consumer Environmental Health Carly Higarty told the committee that enforcement actions and citations had been issued but paid. The operator told the committee he plans technical fixes (heat tape/heater, better insulation) to keep water from freezing and scheduled reinspection; the committee approved renewal with a written warning to correct recurring water access issues.

- Taqueria El Adreo (3530 W. National Ave., Ermolindo Martinez Perez): After neighbors and the alderwoman pressed for earlier closing hours, the applicant amended the plan of operation in committee to close at midnight (instead of later hours requested initially) and to remove jukebox and other noise-generating items from the PEP; committee approved the amended plan and renewal.

- A & I Petroleum LLC (2707 W. Burley): Committee approved renewal as amended with a warning letter. The police report for this gas station listed multiple calls across recent months (shooting, threats, expired food on display, suspected stolen vehicle in the lot), and officers found earlier issues with expired items. The applicant committed to routine staff checks for expired goods, more assertive removal of loiterers and to register cameras with MPD; the committee required the plan-of-operation amendments (camera access, routine perishables checks, no-trespassing signage) and approved the license with a warning.

- Taqueria El Toro and other routine renewals: Committee approved a number of routine renewals where inspections were cleared and no neighbors objected.

Noise, security and public-safety issues

Several agenda items prompted broader discussion about noise on patios, surveillance footage and security staffing. The renewal for SplendaCare Bar & Grill / Play by Play at 3910 W. Fond Du Lac Ave. generated the most sustained neighborhood testimony: a nearby resident and community organizations described repeated late-night patio noise and trash. The applicant acknowledged the complaints, said speakers on the patio had been removed and committed to installing acoustical measures and a taller fence. The committee amended the PEP to require that proposed entertainment options (DJ, jukebox, karaoke, bands, patrons dancing, concerts) be indoor-only and approved renewal with a warning letter while municipal noise citations remain pending; staff said several municipal citations are scheduled for pretrial and that the licensing committee will not pre-judge the municipal court process but may consider the pending citations in its review.

Other items of note

- Sky Bar (1339 S. 7th St.): The applicant asked the committee to withdraw a pending renewal application; the committee recorded the voluntary withdrawal. Licensing staff advised that a withdrawal generally ends the committee hearing and that, depending on municipal procedures, the license may expire per the statutory schedule.

- Punta Cana and other items: Several items were held for follow-up (for example, to allow applicants to resolve occupancy/inspection holds or to arrange meetings with police and neighborhood stakeholders).

Votes at a glance (selected items)

- Guelaguetza (Lucia Antonio Perez) ' Approved as amended (remove outdoor entertainment items; add 5 amusement machines; close at midnight). - Antojitos food truck (Gabriel Ostos Dominguez) ' Approved with warning letter (health objection re: handwashing water; operator pledged fixes). - Taqueria El Adreo (Ermolindo Martinez Perez) ' Approved as amended (close at midnight; remove jukebox). - A & I Petroleum LLC (2707 W. Burley) ' Approved as amended with warning letter (plan of operation revisions including camera access and perishables checks). - Sky Bar (1339 S. 7th St.) ' Applicant withdrew renewal application; committee recorded withdrawal. - Several other food dealer and tavern renewals ' Approved (no objection; routine inspections cleared or holds satisfied).

What the committee asked of applicants

- Improve or register surveillance footage access with MPD when police request video evidence. - Add and document routine checks for perishable foods at convenience/gas stores and remove expired items promptly. - Work with neighborhood associations on trash, loitering, and security plans; consider additional roving or sidewalk-facing security to escort patrons to cars and discourage post-closing loitering.

Ending: The committee approved most renewals while using plan-of-operation amendments and warning letters to address recurring operational problems. Several items were held for follow-up and at least one withdrawal was recorded, which the committee and city staff said will affect licensing status under municipal rules.