Popular Milwaukee pizza spot closed indefinitely, public records show years of unpaid taxes
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — A popular pizza restaurant in Milwaukee appears to be closed indefinitely.
Fixture Pizza Pub in Walker's Point has signs on the windows and doors that read "closed until further notice."
"Obviously devastated, because they have one of the best Caesar salads in the city," said Seyaye Fett, who planned to eat lunch there with friends on Friday. Instead, they were surprised by the signage and locked doors. "Hopefully they can reopen soon."
The business has not confirmed why it is closed. Public records show the property at 621-625 S. 2nd St. is owned by JD Commercial Properties LLC, registered to John Taylor. According to court and DOC records, Taylor is currently incarcerated for a sixth OWI conviction.
Fixture's co-owner, Josh Taylor, didn't respond to CBS 58's inquiry about the closure.
According to City of Milwaukee tax records, the property has several years of unpaid real estate taxes dating back to 2021.
The public records website was down all day Friday, but on Thursday, CBS 58 noted the amount due was listed at $129,968.
'We've got to do some things on the business side," said a staff member inside the shuttered restaurant on Friday. She told reporter Jenna Wells that Fixture is projected to reopen but did not say when.
"It takes time. Everything takes time," the staff member said. "We're not closing our doors permanently."
Public records accessed Thursday noted the property is scheduled for a "1st In Rem tax foreclosure file."
City treasurer Spencer Coggs told CBS 58 that doesn't necessarily explain Fixture's closure, because the building and the business are treated as separate entities.
When CBS 58's Jenna Wells asked the staff member if a potential foreclosure file was the reason for the closure, she responded, "that's not true."
According to the city treasurer, owners affected by in-rem foreclosure have an eight-week redemption period to pay their dues off before they risk losing their property.