The Fermentorium Vinyl Lounge, 6933 W. North Ave. in East Tosa, has closed effective immediately, according to a post on the taproom's Facebook page.
Previously called The Fermentorium Barrel House, the venue opened in spring 2019 (though its grand opening didn't take place immediately). It was a second location for The Fermentorium, which opened its brewery and taproom in Cedarburg in 2016.
But, clearly, the change wasn't enough for the taproom to stay afloat in the East Tosa neighborhood, which has one other brewery taproom, operated by Gathering Place Brewing.
Slightly further afield in Wauwatosa is Lion's Tail, which opened last year at 85th and North. About a mile east, in Milwaukee's Washington Heights neighborhood, is Vennture Brew Co.
Here is Volkman's full message:
Dear valued customers and friends,
It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of The Fermentorium Vinyl Lounge. After much consideration, we have made the difficult decision to cease operations effective immediately.
This decision was not made lightly, and we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you, especially our loyal Vinyl Lounge Mug Club members, who have been a part of our journey. We have truly appreciated your support, loyalty, and collaboration over the nearly five years in East Tosa.
Our team has worked tirelessly to provide the best products and services possible, and we are proud of the relationships we have built. However, continuing operations is no longer viable.
We sincerely thank you for being a part of our Fermentorium family. While our chapter in East Tosa is closing, we are grateful for the memories and connections we've made in the community. We look forward to continuing to grow in our original location in Cedarburg.
Sincerely,
Kristopher Volkman
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
