Fruition MKE coffee shop goes cashless after second burglary in 6 months
CBS 58 MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Tiffany Miller took over the Fruition MKE Cafe in 2024, located in the Near West Side neighborhood on 27th St.
The cafe combines a coffee shop with community workspaces and is part of a push to revitalize the neighborhood, offering community resources and employment opportunities.
“A lot of people have stereotypes about 27th St. The only way that things are going to change is if you plant, you gotta plant seeds, you gotta plant joy,” Miller said.
On Monday morning, the cafe was broken into, and several hundred dollars were stolen -- and it wasn’t the first time.
“I had a break-in in July, and today I had a break-in, and it was just a cash grab-and-go,” Miller said.
The front door of the cafe was shattered and will have to be replaced, costing Miller hundreds.
“I gotta replace the door, but people have been really generous with donating to help me replace that with more expensive acrylic that will make it really, really hard for people to come in, try to come in,” Miller said.
After two break-ins, Miller is switching to a cashless system to avoid the chance of a third break-in.
“I have to, which is unfortunate,” Miller said. “There are many people in my neighborhood who are solely cash, but for the safety of my staff, my team, and to reduce or eliminate additional break-ins, I have to go cashless right now.”
The cafe is designed to bring people from diverse backgrounds together and eliminate stereotypes tied to the Near West Side neighborhood.
“I didn’t cry this time. I cried last time, but I’m still grateful that the community sees the value in this space and in this building and is still willing to support,” Miller said.
