After 41 years in business, Marty and Suzanne Weigel will close Benno’s Genuine Bar, 7413 S. Greenfield Ave in West Allis. The popular bar and restaurant’s last day will be Sunday, June 5 during West Allis a la Carte.

“My wife and I raised four great kids here (in the five-bedroom upstairs apartment) and they are all out the door, so we’re ready for the next phase,” says Marty, 63.

Benno’s was at the forefront of the craft beer movement and has always been known for its large selection of micro brews.

“We’ve been doing craft beer for so long that Randy Sprecher (original owner of Sprecher Brewery who is now retired) used to deliver the barrels himself,” says Weigel.

Originally Benno’s opened on National Avenue in 1980, but moved to its current Greenfield Avenue location in June of 1989. Until 1991, the bar and grill was also owned by Marty’s father, Benno Weigel, and his brother, Benno Weigel Jr.

Benno Weigel Jr. left the bar in 1991 to open The Micro at the Wisconsin State Fair which he still operates today.

Marty says they will eventually sell the property (Benno’s is two adjoined buildings), but for now it’s not on the market.

“We have to find the right place for us to live first,” says Marty, who also has two years left as the second district alderperson in West Allis. “For now, we need to live in the district, but we’ll see in two years. In 2020, we considered getting an RV and living that life for the summer, so that could happen.”

Marty says he's thankful for his staff and his customers and the support of West Allis over the years, but he’s ready to move on after four decades.

“This will illustrate how long I’ve been in the bar business: In November of 1980 I put a second TV in Benno’s and customers complained, saying it was too confusing to have two TVs in one bar,” says Marty.

“It’s been a really great ride and we’ve had a wonderful life in this business, but now it’s time for a change.”