A locally owned cafe is planning a short move to a new location on Tosa's west side, in the building on Bluemound Road formerly occupied by Hermanas restaurant.
The owners of Cuppa Tosa Kitchen & Cafe have applied for a conditional use permit to reopen at 11320 W. Bluemound Road, with plans for "a breakfast/lunch concept restaurant with on and off-site catering for special events," according to the description submitted to the city for consideration.
Cuppa Tosa previously operated in the shopping center on the northeast corner of the busy intersection of Bluemound and Mayfair roads. In June, the business posted to Facebook that it had closed temporarily while the owners were "working thru some things." A later update announced new hours at the old location after taking time to "re-evaluate and re-group."
The business description for the new location describes Cuppa Tosa as a "community driven concept operated by a local restaurant family with ties to the Wauwatosa area since 1975."
In the new location, Cuppa Tosa plans to employ 15 to 20 people and open Tuesday through Sunday each week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with additional events planned in the evenings. Its menu will include omelets, pancakes, waffles, brioche French toast, sandwiches, salads, wraps and a kids menu.
Owner Anthony Fugarino told the Milwaukee Business Journal that the new location would be an expansion of the business concept originated by his sister in the former location. Vita Fugarino will assist with the new location, focusing on homemade baked desserts.
The Fugarinos were present Nov. 18 for a public hearing before the Common Council on the conditional use permit, and two residents who live near the new location also spoke in support of the business. The permit application will be taken up Dec. 8 by the Plan Commission before returning to the Common Council for final approval on Dec. 16.
Hermanas, a Mexican restaurant, closed in 2023 after just two years in that location. Its owner had received clearance to open only after an up-and-down approval process addressing a series of concerns raised by council members.
