A West Allis food-service business will take over the downtown Waukesha space vacated by another food-service business, which itself is expanding its offerings one block further to the west.
Milwaukee Crust and Pizza Company, which recently closed in West Allis, is moving to downtown Waukesha in a space previously occupied by Simply Irresistible Catering at 309 W. Main St.
Marketing pizzas
According to the company's website, the West Allis business makes specialty pizzas with a thin flaky crust and fresh meats and vegetables.
The company, initially called Milwaukee Pizza Company, was originally started at an apartment by owners Erik Burgos and Nick Smith. The company's website says the two were looking to fill the need for a distinct style of frozen pizza.
The pizzas are sold in a variety of grocery stores across the area.
According to a post on the pizza company's Facebook page in January, Burgos said he was closing his West Allis site.
'Thanks for all of the support over the years,' said Burgos, who founded the company in 2010. 'I started this company with a simple idea that there must be a healthier and higher quality frozen pizza. I think that I have proven that flavor and freshness can be achieved.'
Burgos said in an online post he wants to open in downtown Waukesha within a month. He did not return a call from Waukesha Now seeking comment.
Catering shop relocates
Simply Irresistible Catering, which opened in 2013, closed at the end of December at the site, but it isn't leaving downtown.
The catering business — which offers a range of main courses, side dishes and desserts — is relocating on the west end of downtown, at 453 W. Main St., adjacent to the Waukesha Tattoo Company. It will move into a building that has sat vacant for many years.
Chef Megan Day said in a recent online post she is hoping to reopen in late March or early April.
The move allows for an expansion of Simply Irresistible Catering's services and interior seating, plus outdoor dining, a new concept for the business.
Day's new location will include a 20-by-46-foot deck in the front of the building. The business will have the option of opening a front window onto the deck during the summer months — similar to what 225 So. Mia Famiglia does on South Street now, said Waukesha Community Development Specialist Jeff Fortin.
The addition of the deck will result in a loss of two parking spaces, but Fortin said during a plan commission meeting in December he doesn't 'think the loss of two spaces will have any sort of negative impact on the downtown parking situation.' One handicapped accessible stall will remain.
The site will also be spruced up — an arbor over a portion of the deck with vines and other plantings at the west end of the deck will be added, Fortin said.
A carpet store was the building's last tenant. George Wang, owner of the Waukesha Tattoo Company, later bought the building and in 2012 the building underwent façade renovation. Now, four years later, the building will finally have a tenant.