Sendik's Sales Shrinking As Mandel Group Development Takes Root

Despite a new two-story parking structure behind the Shorewood grocery store available to customers, owner John Nehring says business has waned as a six-story apartment and retail development sprouts in his parking lot.

As a new apartment and retail development takes root in its parking lot, Sendik's in Shorewood has seen sales wane. "It has affected business, there's no doubt about it," said John Nehring, who co-owns the independent store with his wife Anne. A two-story parking structure constructed behind the grocery store — part of Milwaukee developer the Mandel Group’s new $34.8 million, six-story development — was supposed to help. But Nerhing said he saw a slight drop in business — somewhere between 5 to 10 percent — at that point. Then when construction moved to his parking lot at 4027 N. Oakland Ave., traffic into the store declined even more, though he couldn’t put a figure on the drop. Nehring said the transition just hasn't been as smooth as he…

•  42 Comments
• Photos (1)

Oakcrest Tavern Named St. Patty's Day Hot Spot in Patch Poll

The Shorewood tavern grabs 67 percent of the vote, with Three Lions Pub polled second.

Saturday is St. Patrick's Day and we asked readers to tell us where the best place to celebrate the day is in the North Shore. You voted, and the results are in. Shorewood's Oakcrest Tavern takes the prize of Patty's Day hot spot with 39 votes and 67 percent of the vote. Oakcrest, found on North Oakland Avenue a block north of East Capitol Drive, has been pleasing the palates of North Shore diners and beyond since 2007. _ The aesthetically appealing exterior gives way to a warm and welcoming restaurant interior. To learn more about this establishment, check out their Patch directory listing. Here's some of the other local establishments that were in the running: Benjamin's Restaurant & Deli Harry's Bar & Grill Jack Pandl's Whitefish Bay …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

Peter Egan Jr.

7:18 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012

I'm in need of a new St. Paddy's Day spot to celebrate my Irish heritage. My old favorite is no longer in business. Will be keeping a close eye on this poll...   more ›

Water Lines that Broke Last Week, Now Completely Patched Up

After crews battled three water main breaks late last week, one of which severely flooded a busy North Oakland Avenue block, the village says nearly all streets are fully restored.

A water main break on North Oakland Avenue which caused severe street flooding and cut the water supply and pushed water into the basements of nearby businesses late last week has been completely repaired, according to Shorewood's website as of Tuesday. The Oakland Avenue block immediately north of East Capitol was closed for several hours Thursday, as water engulfed the street. Local homes lost running water, until it was restored around 8 p.m. In addition, two other main breaks including one in the 3500 block of North Murray Avenue, near East Maryland Avenue, and another on East Beverly Road have been repaired, and crews will have the street fully restored by the end of the week.

• Photos (1)

Crime Time: Stolen Car Recovered after Two Years, Bike Thefts

A roundup of the latest from the Shorewood police reports.

Shorewood police had a car towed Friday after discovering it had been reported stolen about two years ago. A parking checker was patrolling early Friday morning in the 1700 block of East Newton Avenue when a purple Chevrolet Monte Carlo was found parked illegally due to night parking restrictions. The temporary plates on the car forced police to run the VIN number through a police database, which showed the car had been reported stolen two years ago. The car had since been painted a different color. Police believe the owner purchased the Monte Carlo not knowing it was in the police database as stolen. Also in the police report:

• Photos (1)

The Shorewood Insider

Bloody Mary: The Complex Cocktail

The Bloody Mary offers a mini meal in a glass, but where do you head in Shorewood and beyond to find the best?

Bloody Marys have garnered smiles with their garnishes for generations, and this spring, nothing has changed. Perhaps there are still favored because the weather is still iffy, chilly and we require a bit of comfort in our drink (mohito season is finicky), but this staple is a hardy perennial. They also serve to bring people together to brunch across the table politically — the great leveler in the celery, pickle and olive topping the various mixes of tomato juice and vodka. The beer chaser or side car gives this drink its own after-drink, which is kind of special. Refreshing and arguably the most nutritious alcoholic beverage in the litany of alphabetic vitamin categories (A, B, C, D - depending on the contents), here's where to find some…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Bites Nearby: Oakcrest Tavern Fish Fry on Good Friday, but Tiramisu Takes the Cake

Breaded, deep-fried cod filet, smothered in cheddar cheese on a toasty bun, finished my fish hankering but was topped by a creamy piece of tiramisu.

It's an odd combination, deep-fried fish and a cocoy, creamy piece of tiramisu, but Oakcrest Tavern in Shorewood satiated that craving. Right across the street from Sendik's, Oakcrest's banner says "Eat, Drink, Be Merry, Repeat" and that is definitely what can be accomplished there. The place isn't small, but it isn't really large either. Within a few feet of the front door you can go left and have a seat at their fully stocked bar and plethora of televisions to catch sports games, or head to the right, and be met by a friendly waitstaff for a plentiful meal. We took a seat at one of the tables instead of a booth — odd, because I usually prefer a booth. It was cold, damp and dreary outside and the waitress immediately asked if I'd like the…

• Photos (2)

High Holiday Spirits at Low Cost on Oakland Avenue

From wine tasting to holiday parties, you don't have to spend a lot at local bars.

If holiday shopping is putting a strain on your budget, Shorewood's Oakland Avenue wine bars and pubs can help keep you warm and entertained on a cool winter night, without putting  a hole in your wallet. One of those places is Thirst and Vine, at 4330 N. Oakland Ave. It's a wine shop and wine bar restaurant, owned by Anne Finch-Nehring. For those looking for a top beer at a great price, Finch-Nehring said you need look no further than the Fixed Gear red ale, on tap at Thirst and Vine for $5.50 a glass. The bar also offers Quollfrisch, a lager from Switzerland, as well as Hop Sun, a wheat beer from New York, at $3 a bottle. Thirst and Vine is taking reservations for New Year's Eve revelers, and will feature live music. Regardless of the …

• Photos (4)