Council renews most retail alcohol and amusement-arcade licenses for 2025–26; several firms omitted pending changes

The Wauwatosa Common Council approved renewal of retail alcohol (class A, B and C) licenses and renewal/new approvals for amusement-arcade and theater licenses for the 2025–26 licensing period.

City staff told the council that applicants received criminal-background checks and that departments — police, fire and health — reported no issues for the applications submitted by the May 6 packet deadline. Staff removed Aladdin from the alcohol renewal list because that business is undergoing a name change and will resubmit under the new name for the June agenda. Good City Brewing elected not to renew its city liquor licenses because it plans to apply for a producer full-service retail sales permit through the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, staff said. Huy’s restaurant was omitted because it has a new owner who will appear on the June agenda.

Staff also noted several licensees had new listed agents (Jackson’s Blue Ribbon; Friends of Hoyt Park and Pool; Meijer stores; Mayfair; Renaissance Hotel; Texas de Brazil) and that those new agents underwent background checks.

Alderman Molnar moved approval of the clerk’s presented list; Alderman Wilkie seconded. The council passed the renewals unanimously.

Why it matters: Annual license renewals maintain continuity for businesses and ensure compliance with state and local rules; staff cited Wisconsin Chapter 125 as the statutory framework for alcohol licensing reviews.

What’s next: The June agenda will include license applications that were not ready for the May packet and businesses undergoing ownership or name changes.