14 minute read
COMMENTARY: CONCERT VENUES BETTER PREPARE TO COMPETE
GLANCE AT YESTERYEAR
Ferry & Clas Architects at work
This photo circa 1895 shows men working at drafting tables in the offices of Ferry & Clas Architects. The firm, which operated from 1881 to 1918, had its offices at what would now be 725 N. Broadway in downtown Milwaukee. Today, the site is a parking garage for the Two-Fifty office tower at 250 E. Wisconsin Ave. Ferry & Clas was responsible for designing several of Milwaukee’s now historic buildings, including the Milwaukee Public Library and Pabst Mansion. — Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Public Library/Historic Photo Collection
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EDITORIAL
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Andrew Weiland andrew.weiland@biztimes.com
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Maredithe Meyer maredithe.meyer@biztimes.com
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Christie Ubl christie.ubl@biztimes.com
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Christy Peterson christy.peterson@biztimes.com
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Independent & Locally Owned — Founded 1995 —
COMMENTARY
Concert venues better prepare to compete
THERE ARE LOTS of places to see a concert in Milwaukee. For many, Fiserv Forum or stages at the Summerfest grounds immediately come to mind.
But there are many other concert venues in the city, accommodating a wide variety of artists and crowds of all shapes and sizes, ranging from intimate settings at the Cactus Club and Shank Hall up to huge stadium shows at American Family Field.
A big question that’s being asked in Milwaukee right now: How many concert venues can this market support? The reason for that question is FPC Live, a division of Madison-based concert promotion company Frank Productions, is planning a $50 million development near Fiserv Forum with two concert venues, one with a capacity of 4,000 and the other 800. In addition, a mixed-use development planned near the Marquette Interchange includes an indoor concert venue for crowds of up to 3,500, which would be run by Pabst Theater Group and a yetto-be-named partner.
So those two projects would create three new concert venues in downtown Milwaukee. How would that impact the marketplace? Hopefully they will bring more shows here and attract artists that ordinarily would skip playing in Milwaukee.
But the new venues will also probably take market share from existing concert venues in Milwaukee. Older venues of similar size may have to make improvements and look for other ways to compete with the newer venues.
Of course, that’s a basic fact of life in a free market economy. When new competitors in your industry enter your market, you have to figure out how to compete with them or your business won’t survive.
On the other hand, another approach is to try to convince the government to prevent your competition from doing business against you.
A group of local concert venue owners have formed a group, called Save MKE’s Music Scene, to oppose FPC Live’s plans near Fiserv Forum. Their beef is that its parent company, Frank Productions, is owned by Live Nation, one of the largest live entertainment companies in the world. The group says Live Nation’s extensive relationships with performers will enable it to bring those artists to FPC Live’s venues in Milwaukee at the expense of older concert venues in the city.
The leader of Save MKE’s Music Scene compared Live Nation to Walmart.
“They come into a community with uncompetitive pricing, put independents out of business, shutter neighborhood businesses and displace workers,” said the group’s executive director, Craig Peterson.
Save MKE’s Music Scene promises to fight any zoning changes for the FPC Live project. But the site, located in the Deer District, is completely appropriate for additional entertainment venues. What justification is there for opposing this rezoning, other than to block out a competitor, which has nothing to do with zoning?
There’s no good reason for the city to oppose the FPC Live project. Milwaukee’s established concert venues had better prepare to compete. n
ANDREW WEILAND
EDITOR
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NONPROFIT
MEDICAL COLLEGE GETS $5.9 MILLION FOR MULTIPLE MYELOMA RESEARCH
The Paula & Rodger Riney Foundation will provide $5.9 million to the Medical College of Wisconsin to fund multiple myeloma research.
This investment by the St. Louis-based foundation will support cancer research projects during the next two years and promote ongoing advancement of MCW’s work in immunotherapies to treat patients who are long-term survivors of myeloma.
“We are pleased to partner with the MCW Cancer Center in our shared aspiration of finding a cure for multiple myeloma,” said Rodger Riney. “Since the establishment of the foundation, we have sought out the most innovative work in the field, and we are very excited about the promise MCW’s research shows for treating this complex disease.”
For more than 20 years, Wauwatosa-based MCW has worked with health care partners to provide patients with research-based myeloma clinical care and access to cancer clinical trials and medical discoveries, including findings in immune therapies – an approach that deploys the body’s natural immune defenses to slow the spread of cancer cells.
“We are grateful for this transformative support from the Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation,” said Gustavo Leone, Ph.D., director of the MCW Cancer Center and the Dr. Glenn R. and Nancy A. Linnerson Endowed Chair for Cancer Research. “There has never been a more exciting time to be at the forefront of this pioneering research. The scientific advancements we will make with this gift will yield much needed benefits for generations of patients and families facing a diagnosis of multiple myeloma.” — Andrew Weiland, staff writer
calendar
ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis will hold its virtual event and fundraiser, A Night In with ABCD, on Sept. 12, streamed live from 54 Below in New York City for viewers around the world. The event raises awareness and funds for ABCD’s free, customized one-to-one emotional support services. Acts Housing will host its Neighborhood Table event on Sept. 14 in downtown Milwaukee’s Deer District to celebrate the more than 3,214 families the organization has helped purchase homes over the past 26 years. Ticket proceeds benefit Acts’ mission to help underserved families become homeowners. The Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter will host the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sept. 18 at Henry Maier Festival Park in downtown Milwaukee. Held in hundreds of communities, the walk is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. WRTP|BIG STEP will host its second Cheers to Careers celebrity mixology fundraiser on Sept. 29 at Bottle House 42, 1130 N. 9th St. in Milwaukee. The event raises funds to support WRTP’s mission of greater inclusivity, equity and opportunity for Wisconsin’s workforce.
DONATION ROUNDUP
The MATC Foundation received a $112,000 donation from Van Horn Latino of Milwaukee and El Rey, a family-owned and operated grocer in Milwaukee, to increase the college’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Plus Scholarship fund. | Standard Process donated 67,000 meals to Feeding America and more than 200 food banks across the nation through the company’s 7th annual One Day, One Bottle, One Meal event. | The Milwaukee Police Department received 204 first responder bags to help children deal with crisis situations as part of the REACH-A-Child program, from an $11,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation. | Cory and Michelle Nettles have pledged $50,000 to create a match challenge to support Milwaukee Film’s Black Lens program and Cultures & Communities initiatives, including the 2022 festival. | Cousins Subs awarded a total of $20,000 in scholarships to four Wisconsin high school senior athletes through its 10th annual Wisconsin Sports Awards Scholarship Contest.
nonprofit SPOTLIGHT
MILWAUKEE TENNIS & EDUCATION FOUNDATION
3000 N. Sherman Blvd., Milwaukee WI 53210 (414) 442-8195 | mtef.com Facebook: Facebook.com/milwaukeetennisandeducationfoundation Twitter: @MTEF4tennis LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/milwaukee-tennis-and-educationfoundation-mtef/
Year founded: 1975
Mission statement: Our mission is to improve the lives and futures of Milwaukee’s youth through tennis, education and mentoring. Primary focus of your nonprofit organization: Milwaukee Tennis & Education Foundation strives to create opportunities for children in Milwaukee, especially those from underserved communities who lack a safe place to play and learn. MTEF uses tennis as the hook to capture student attention and then engages them in positive development activities, including academic enrichment, health and wellness, and life skills training. Employee count: One full-time; two to 25 part-time (changes seasonally) Key donors: USTA Foundation, Bader Philanthropies, Anon Charitable Trust, Harri Hoffman Family Foundation, RA Stevens Family Foundation, The Frieda and William Hunt Memorial Trust, WE Energies Foundation, USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation
Executive leadership: Rachael Badt, executive director
Board of directors: 20 members, including officers Mike Buckholdt, president; Sarah Cyganiak, secretary; Chris Schifano, treasurer; Kurt Janavitz, past president. Is your organization actively seeking board members? Yes
What roles are you looking to fill? We are looking to include people from diversified backgrounds who are committed to improving the lives of underserved children through tennis, education, and mentorship, whether through financial or in-kind contributions. Prospective board members should either directly or indirectly have a passion for the game of tennis and the opportunities the game of tennis brings to people and communities. Ways the business community can help your nonprofit: Sponsorships or donations to our annual Tennis Ball as well as volunteers at our tennis programming and/or tutoring sessions.
Key fundraising events: 23rd Annual Tennis Ball, Nov. 12 at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee. We also host tennis and/or pickleball socials at area tennis clubs.
5 MINUTES WITH…
PAUL BARTOLOTTA
NEXT SUMMER, Milwaukee-based Bartolotta Restaurants will open The Commodore, a new fine-dining restaurant and catering venue on Nagawicka Lake in Delafield. Bartolotta has partnered with David Herro and Jay Franke of HF Hospitality Group to develop the concept, which will breathe new life into a historic waterfront property that previously housed Weissgerber’s Seven Seas Restaurant for nearly 40 years. BizTimes associate editor Maredithe Meyer spoke with owner, co-founder and chef Paul Bartolotta about how the partnership took off, his vision for the 27,000-square-foot lakeside restaurant and the company’s growth trajectory.
WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND THE PARTNERSHIP WITH HF HOSPITALITY?
“Going back in time, we had found out that (the Seven Seas property) might be for sale when my brother (Joe Bartolotta) was still alive, and Joe and I drove out there and we drove around and we looked around. It was years ago, and I just remember seeing how beautiful it was and (Joe) goes, ‘Man, this is such a great location on the lake.’ If anything, we’ve learned that views and locations near water count, and we both sort of looked at each other and he goes, ‘Wow, this is a pretty big undertaking, it’s beyond our reach. I know it’ll be a ton of money, it’s an old building,’ and we let it go. Years later, a broker contacted me after Joe passed and asked if I had any interest. … I drove out there on my own and drove around again and looked at it and thought what a great opportunity, but not practical as a business model.
“And then I got connected with David and Jay. A friend of mine called me and said, ‘They want to talk to you, … you should call them,’ so I did. … I went out (to Lake Country) and had a preliminary meeting and the connection was immediate. They were very transparent on what they wanted to do. Jay loved the design part of it, … David was very interested in this long-haul view of Lake Country. This is where they live, and it’s very important to them. Within a short time, we connected on values, on vision, and all of it. They have the financial wherewithal to be
THE BARTOLOTTA RESTAURANTS
(Center from left) Paul Bartolotta, Jay Franke, David Herro and Keith Trafton stand with The Bartolotta Restaurants team in front of the future home of The Commodore on Nagawicka Lake.
the capital partner. We’re super excited to do this with them because it would have been something, quite honestly beyond our reach initially.”
HOW DID THE CONCEPT BEHIND THE COMMODORE COME ABOUT?
“(HF Hospitality) had the vision already. They had done a lot of work even before meeting with us on what they wanted the vision to be, and they just hadn’t fully settled in on an operator. Initially, maybe their mindset was getting someone to either lease it or manage it. We weren’t interested in leasing, and we weren’t interested in having a management agreement. We were only interested in a partnership. And so, we proposed the terms on which we would do it.
“Obviously, there was a conversation but the reality is that they had spent a fair amount of time on their end really taking a deep dive into the history of the building; the history of Lake Country; coming up with the name The Commodore, which attaches itself to the leader of the yacht club or the head of the yacht club; and past and then present and looking at the history of it. The ideas that they had in terms of respecting the history of the building and coming up with a theme like this really connected with us, with me. We connected with the idea that we can do something that respects the past but also lives in the present and is built for the future, and that’s exactly the mindset that they have, and we aligned with that almost immediately.”
WHAT’S YOUR VISION FOR THE MENU AND ATMOSPHERE?
“It’s certainly a modern take on a yacht club theme. Looking back on the history of Lake Country, we want to pull in things that have typically been done and been done successfully and do them in our way.
“When we develop a concept, a third of our development in our concept has to do with the environment – what it feels like, how you feel in that environment, what the arrival looks like, what the parking looks like, what the first person you meet feels like. … It is all in the details. The other third has to do with the food and beverage offerings, what’s going to be on the menu, what’s going to be served to drink, you know, the wine program, cocktail program, after-dinner drink program. And then of course, the element we’ve always leaned into as well is the hospitality component: What is Bartolotta hospitality, what is our promise in terms of standard of service, hospitality and building real relationships where people feel that they are recognized? …
“We view what we do as finding a way to be intrinsically invested in whatever community we’re operating in, whether it’s Joey Gerard’s in Greendale or Mr. B’s in Brookfield or Ristorante in Wauwatosa or any of our Milwaukee restaurants. It’s important that we’re engaged in what’s going on in those communities, and I see this now as an extension into Lake Country, where we fully intend to be deeply immersed in the activities and the community and the culture.”
WHAT GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU EXPECT WILL COME OUT OF THIS NEXT VENTURE?
“We did a little bit of research on our own, and we found out that there is a significant number of individuals that are already members of our rewards program that live out that way. Realizing that it’s located almost halfway between Milwaukee and Madison, it makes you realize that this could draw from several counties around the Lake Country area as well as Milwaukee. It’s not a far drive for our people who live in Brookfield or Elm Grove or Wauwatosa, for sure, but I think the place is special enough that it’s going to draw a lot of our customers from wherever they live now. We’ve already determined demographically that out of the 120,000 members in our rewards program, there’s a pretty significant number of them that we have out in that neighborhood, so hopefully, our opening there won’t be a secret.
“To our regular customers, it’s an opportunity for them to visit another diverse restaurant in our collection. It’s going to have a beautiful catering venue, plenty of small private event and meeting spaces are available above and beyond the restaurant, so it’s going to offer a lot from business opportunities for the business diners that are out on the west side, for small conferences, and social functions from rehearsal dinners to weddings to baby showers to bridal showers to closing dinners, to retirement parties or whatever it may be, there’s a tremendous opportunity from the event side of the business out there at the Bartolotta standard of hospitality.
“… We have an organization, we have a lot of talent within our group, we have people that are ready for the next challenges. It’s our job to create opportunity and career pathways for the people who work in our company, we want them to know that growth is continually on the horizon. I don’t intend to stop at the Commodore, there’s more to come.” n
