Michael Rebers, general manager of the Riverwest Public House, says – short of a miracle – the cooperative bar and community space will close after this weekend.
The Public House, which opened in 2011, was one of a few cooperative taverns and music venues in the country. It struggled financially over the years, but now is unable to recover from the loss of business due to COVID-19.
"We made the majority of our money through live music, which is no longer possible," says Rebers. "No shows means no business."
Currently, Rebers says they are having conversations with a couple of groups about taking over the co-op, but mostly, they are trying to end the nine-year project on a positive note.
"We're trying to wrap this up by paying off our obligations and making sure none of our past or present employees are personally strapped with bills," says Rebers.
The Riverwest Public House has a Gofundme page for anyone interested in helping to gracefully "put a pin in it," per Reber's words. To donate or find out more, go here.
"Riverwest Public House Cooperative has been a home for so many in the Riverwest neighborhood and beyond. It has been a home for us, the staff, the artists, and the performers who have loved our stage," reads the Gofundme page.
The Riverwest Public House will be open Thursday, Sept. 24 through Sunday, Sept. 27.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
