Two new businesses are planned for Tosa Village that would transform their properties from quite different former uses — an upscale bar in the former Little Read Book store and a day care facility in the former Firefly restaurant. Both businesses would be new branches expanding on existing establishments in other suburban communities.
North 48, which now operates taverns in Cedarburg and Oconomowoc, is looking to renovate the former Little Read Book building at 7603 W. State St. into a craft cocktail and beer bar.
And Casa de Corazón, a Spanish-immersion child care chain with existing locations in Shorewood and Glendale, has plans to convert the former Firefly restaurant at 7754 Harwood Ave. into a day care, with a fenced-in outdoor play area added to the back of the building.
Both businesses require conditional use permits from the City of Wauwatosa. Public hearings on the permits were held Oct. 28 before the Wauwatosa Common Council. [Video is available here.] The permit requests will be reviewed by the Plan Commission on Nov. 10 before returning to the council for final approval at the Nov. 18 meeting.
"North 48 is more than just a bar. It's a community gathering space built around quality, creativity and connection," owner-operator Jordan Cole told the council at the hearing. "Each location is thoughtfully designed to reflect the character of its city, and Wauwatosa is no exception. We're excited to bring our signature hospitality, locally inspired cocktails and welcoming atmosphere to this vibrant neighborhood."
Cole does not plan to offer food at North 48 but will invite patrons to bring their own food in to enjoy. His proposed floor plans indicate the new business will modify the existing storefront while removing some interior walls to create a more open space for the bar and tables.
The former occupant, Little Read Book, was a beloved, longtime Tosa establishment that announced it would close last summer. The independent bookstore's last day was July 18 after 40 years in Tosa Village. Before it moved to its State Street location, it had occupied the building on Harwood Avenue that most recently was home to the Firefly restaurant.
The Firefly storefront has been vacant since the restaurant closed last December after 20 years in business. At the time, Firefly's owners said their landlord "has alternate plans for the building and denied us the option for a renewed long-term lease."
The new plans for the building entail "providing high-quality, culturally rich early childhood education that nurtures the whole child," according to a project description that Casa de Corazón filed with the city.
The child care center plans to serve up to 148 children, from infancy through pre-kindergarten age, with daytime hours Monday through Friday.
"Casa de Corazón is more than just child care," Kriti Behl Stefan said, speaking alongside her husband, Michael Stefan, in favor of their permit application. "It's a bilingual Spanish-immersion program that really nurtures curiosity, empathy and global awareness from the very start."
A hearing also was held on a conditional use permit for a plan to convert the Sonesta hotel into an apartment building at the corner of Mayfair and Watertown Plank roads. Tosa Forward News' earlier reporting on that plan can be found here.
