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Café Hollander is ready to pour again at 7677 W. State St. in the Tosa Village.
After historic flooding ripped through Tosa Village on August 9-10, forcing the café to close its doors, Hollander will softly reopen its doors and welcome its first guests this evening (September 25) at 5 p.m.
The soft opening will be followed by a grand reopening at 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26. And the team isn’t just flipping the lights back on. They’re bringing the community together for a full weekend of live music, giveaways, toasts and fundraising.
“It might be the fastest full kitchen remodel in history,” says Eric Wagner, CEO of Lowlands Group. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness, the helping hands and the encouragement from the whole community. This celebration is just a small thank you.”
A refreshed Hollander
Regulars will find the same Euro-pub charm they love, but with a little extra polish. The flood-damaged lower-level kitchen has been completely rebuilt. Brand new equipment and a more efficient layout promise faster, smoother service at brunch, lunch and dinner.
Meanwhile, the floors throughout both levels have been refinished, the restrooms refreshed (check out the cool wallpaper upstairs) and the bar got a good shine-up, too.
There is at least one more update to come. Guests can look forward to a refresh of the mural on the first floor overlooking the river.
A weekend-long party
As for this weekend, to mark its comeback, Hollander has planned a full lineup of festivities:
- Friday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m.: Complimentary reopening toast on the patio
- Live music all weekend
- Friday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m.: Keanen Kopplin
- Saturday, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m.: Mike Haessler
- Sunday, Sept. 28 at 4 p.m.: Jake Williams
- Prizes + giveaways
- Door prizes for the first 50 guests on opening night
- Scratch-off cards with prizes from free brunch for a year to Hollander merch and CityTins
- Golden Glass Hunt on Friday (find a golden goblet hidden in the restaurant and trade it in for a free bier)
- Royaal Perks members earn double points Monday through Wednesday, Sept. 29–Oct. 1
Raising a glass for the arts
The reopening isn’t just about Hollander, it’s also about giving back. For every Lowlands Brewing Collaborative bier or signature bloody mary sold between Sept. 26 and Oct. 3, $1 will be donated to the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
The Rep suffered an estimated $7.5 million in flood damage to sets, props and tools. Hollander hopes to raise a meaningful amount to support the recovery.
“Come by, enjoy your first High Speed Wit back with us and know that every sip helps contribute to a great cause,” says Wagner.
Back to business
With doors officially open, Hollander is returning to its regular hours Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
And, of course, there will be plenty of Oktoberfest brews on tap and new seasonal menu items coming soon.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
