After investing four years in his vision for the community and working to make that vision financially feasible for the long term, Chris Harris Morse, founder of the North Avenue Market and Christopher's Southern Kitchen and Bar has made the difficult decision to close the doors of the business at 5900 W. North Ave.

“I’ve been struggling with this decision for well over a year and a half,” Harris Morse told me on the phone today, shortly after the Market posted the notice of its closing on Facebook. “The hours I’ve put in and the impact it has had on my health, along with the need to focus on other priorities in my life have led me to realize that this is the best possible decision.” 

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“I’m grateful and thankful for the opportunity to try to positively influence my community. That has always been my ‘why’...I wanted to bridge the gap in terms of Milwaukee being known as the most segregated city in the U.S. and my goal was to bring people together in a truly welcoming and inclusive environment.

“I realize now that there were things I didn’t understand about Milwaukee when I began this journey. The model of inclusivity and community I tried to build isn’t something that Milwaukee is built on foundationally. I overlooked the impact of that. We tried several approaches, and many people were receptive, but there weren’t enough people to sustain the concept.”

Gratitude & hope

Nonetheless, Harris Morse says that he is leaving the project behind with a true sense of gratitude.

“I’d like to thank the Milwaukee Economic Corporation (MEDC) for believing in the project and me. Their financial support along with backing from them and the Milwaukee Development Corporation (MDC) made this possible. They expanded their horizons to invest in this minority owned business, and I hope they will continue to do so.

“So many people have made a difference for this project, from Galbraith Carnahan Architects, Leah and Peter Ogden of o&o studio and two different construction teams. [Former] Alderman Murphy was also outstanding in setting us up and making this happen.

“I want to thank my team for all of their hard work. And I want to express gratitude to the groups who have utilized the space, the food vendors who came on to support us as a food hall. I’m grateful to Bittercube, who has been a partner from the beginning. You couldn’t ask for a greater partner than Ira Koplowitz who was a great entrepreneur and friend.

“And my husband. I’m so grateful for his support. During the course of this project, he has never said a negative word; he has only offered support. And I couldn’t have done it without him. He is really the life behind the market. I’ve been the face, but he has been the life. And I could never have done it without him.

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In the end, Harris Morse says, the people made the project worthwhile.

“I’ve built so many treasured relationships over the years, and that’s what I’ll move forward on. I know that our efforts to create change and bring unity to the table have had an impact. But I also know that WE need to change if we truly want things to change.

“So many organizations – from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, the Black Chamber and the LGBTQ Chamber – these are real people doing real things and connecting in real ways.  There is love and wonderfulness in our community and I’m grateful for that.

“I pray we can continue to build on that as we move forward as a people and as a community. And I hope that – however things move forward – the space will still carry forward the ‘why’ in some way, whatever it becomes.” 

What's next?

The North Avenue Market building is currently being evaluated and appraised. Parties with a serious interest in pursuing a lease or purchase of the building can reach out to Chris Harris Morse directly at chrish@northavemkt.com.