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Former Chinese Pagoda building gets facelift as owner preps it for new tenants

The building originally was home to a two-story Hasenmiller’s Rexall Drug Store until 1962, then the Chinese Pagoda until it closed in 2024. What comes next is a local mystery.

Former Chinese Pagoda building gets facelift as owner preps it for new tenants
The former Chinese Pagoda at 7200 W. North Ave. closed in 2024. Photos: Wisconsin Historical Society and Tosa Forward News.
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Some stories, if the reporter is being honest, probably didn't need to be written.

This may be one of those stories, if only because the people who care most about the subject — in this case, East Tosa residents monitoring the transformation of the former Chinese Pagoda building — already are getting frequent updates from a certain prominent and prolific eyewitness.

That eyewitness would be David Lau, one half of the ownership duo at North Avenue's Ono Kine Grindz. Lau has been posting regular updates this month to his Facebook and Instagram pages about a remodeling project underway at 7200 W. North Ave, across the street from his Hawaiian restaurant.

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"Bringing you the latest from 72nd and W. North. The old Pagoda. The mystery arches are revealed under the discarded Lannon stone," Lau wrote on April 8, sharing photos. "I’ll keep you posted."

A day later, "daily demolition of interior and exterior spaces."

The fact that Ono Kine Grindz is located nearby at 7215 W. North Ave. means updates are easy to come by, and clearly exciting for Lau and his partner, Guy Roeseler — and neighbors are loving it, too.