Angie Storm, owner of Downtown's Erbert & Gerbert's Subs and Clubs, is branching out beyond the world of franchised sandwiches and opening an independently-owned restaurant on the East Side.
Storm says her new restaurant -- 1813 E. Kenilworth Pl. -- will be a nice balance between the type of sit-down place where you spend an hour and a half on dinner and her sub shop, where customers can get a sandwich in about 30 seconds.
"I'd like people to remember that it's not always about how fast you get your food, but how much you enjoy it. I want to create a relaxed environment for people to have a conversation and enjoy themselves."
The not-yet-named establishment will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is going to be based around "her secret family recipes that have been passed down from the generations."
"I have been the owner of a franchise for three years now and, of course, there are certain limitations as far as what I can do with the place," she says. "With the experience I have running a restaurant, I want to try something different. I want more freedom with the décor, the food and the whole atmosphere."
Storm, a vegetarian, is keeping health a priority by utilizing organic products. She also wants to keep things on a local level. "There are a lot of organic farmers in the area and I plan to use as many local product as possible to support the other business that make this city great."
Although she hasn't chosen one yet, she says she will serve locally-roasted coffee.
Storm hopes to have her restaurant open in a little less than three months. Until February, she'll be busy working out the details, including getting a liquor license.
"I want to be able to serve wine and Bloody Marys and stuff, but this is not going to be a bar. It's also going to be non-smoking."
Stay tuned to OMC for more details on this new restaurant.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
