Opening date set for The New Fashioned in Milwaukee's Deer District
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The city's Deer District is preparing to welcome its newest addition. This spring, The New Fashioned will replace the former Punch Bowl Social across from Fiserv Forum.
Tuesday, a press conference was held with partners on the project, officially announcing a grand opening for April 5-7. The New Fashioned is marketed as an entertainment venue with a bar and restaurant offering unique amenities like a tailgate lounge, 50-tap self-serve pour wall, and frozen custard stand.
Photography by Nate Vomhof will be featured throughout the venue showcasing the city skyline and a curated retail experience by Steph Davies of The Waxwing will also be featured.
Bars & Recreation is partnering with the Bucks and Benson's Restaurant Group on this project, which will be the first woman-owned business to open in Deer District.
Marla Poytinger, president and CEO of Bars & Recreation, says she's proud of this new venture.
"Representation matters and I think it's incredible to see that women can be business owners, especially in the hospitality and leisure industry. It's still a little bit rare," she said. Over the last decade, Poytinger has built a Milwaukee-based entertainment brand that once started as Splash Studio, a local paint bar.
Poytinger says her company is focused on bringing immersive experiences and team building activities through the amenities of their various locations.
The New Fashioned will offer activities like Social Bowling, Street Curling, and Dartball. Many of these activities will be offered on a reservation-based model so that guests can plan their outings ahead of time.
The turnaround to get a new business in this prime location was fast. The former Punch Bowl Social closed its doors back in October and The New Fashioned plans to open its doors in just six short weeks. Officials say it was important not to leave this space sitting empty for too long. "The Deer District is a gathering place. Really like sort of the living room of Milwaukee. A town square where anybody from all parts of Milwaukee and beyond can come together," said Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
Visit Milwaukee says the city benefits from having thriving businesses in the area as downtown development continues.
"Marla and her whole team do incredible things and are the perfect people to activate what is a key space that should not sit empty, especially as we look ahead to all of the exciting things coming to Milwaukee this summer," said Claire Koenig, Visit Milwaukee's vice president of communications and advocacy.
Koenig also says this business venue has the power to open doors for a whole new generation of female entrepreneurs. "Until you see someone who looks like you, doing what you hope to be doing one day, it's hard to envision yourself taking those same steps. That's why representation is important across all demographics," said Koenig.
Poytinger says she's thrilled to be partnering with the Bucks and to be in a prime location, but that it's still important to her that the business provide a level of food and experience that makes people want to visit them. "You really have to be able to drive traffic yourself. You can't just rely on Fiserv Forum to bring people to you every day," said Poytinger.
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