Downtown Waukesha biz expansions
BySmall and quaint isn’t cutting it for at least two downtown Waukesha businesses that are busting out of the confines of their little buildings.
If all goes according to plan, two downtown bars will soon double in size. Another is reopening.
The Nice Ash cigar bar, 327 W. Main St., is expanding into the former Celtic Gypsy. An impressive bar was built in the new site. The adjoining wall between the old Ash and the new Ash should come down soon, making it one big cigar bar, Jeff Barta, an owner, said this afternoon.
The second planned expansion involves Magellan’s. Owner Dan Italiano bought the adjacent Fish Store, 374 W. Main St., earlier this month. He plans to knock down the adjoining wall. The new space will be mostly used as restaurant space, he said.
Italiano said he also would have shuffle board and pool tables in the new space. Italiano has ambitions of opening the new site by Thanksgiving.
The other bit of news is the old Ray’s on South is reopening as Redstone, 225 South St. It’s owned by Andy Berling, who has remodeled to decrease the interior echo and installed beer tappers.
Berling’s chef,- Rick, said there may be a soft opening Monday.
Owners of People’s Park a while ago purchased an adjacent building, the old driving school, but expansion plans are still in the works.
Unemployment is high but people have money for booze and cigars. Interesting.