MIMMA MEGNA : I'M NOT BEING FORECLOSED!

Restaurateur, in Midst of Divorce,
Says Business Journal Story False

By Michael Horne

[Updated, Tuesday, April 21st, 2009]

Tri City National Bank [Oak Creek, Franklin and Greenfield -- Ed.] filed a lawsuit against Mimma Megna and Joseph Megna, among others, at the end of March. But in a Business Journal article, March 27th, 2009, the "money demand" was called a "foreclosure" against Mimma's Cafe, 1307 E. Brady St.
Attorney Jeffrey Samuel Schuster [Marquette '70], representing Tri City National Bank, refused to make any comment whatsoever to Milwaukeeworld on the case, saying the pleadings are on file down in the courthouse. [Another reason why court documents must be made accessible electronically, so I don't have to bother trying to talk to guys like this -- Ed.]
Mimma Megna took a different approach, telling Milwaukeeworld flatly the article was in error. "There is no foreclosure," she said. "The mortgage and tax is paid. There is no truth to the article. Mimma's Cafe is open, I am not closing; I have no intention of closing. I have been here 21 years and I hope to be here another 20."
She and Joe are in a drawn-out, and clearly contentious divorce. Property issues, which seem to be the heart of the contention, include eventual ownership of 1337 E. Brady St., (the former Viccuria and Coco Bella, which is to be sold to the Taylor family interests (Taylor's, Oscars) and the property across Brady St. that is the home to the Hi-Hat Lounge and Garage Bar, both operated by Leslie Montemurro, whose name also appears on the suit, since she has a leasehold interest in the property with partner Scott Johnson.
Leslie and Scott are working on opening the former Anona at 2643 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. with partners Val Lucks and Adam Lucks, who share an interest in the Comet Cafe with the duo. Anona will be renamed "Honey Pie," and will be "a lot like Comet," Montemurro says, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, all made from scratch from locally sourced ingredients, and served in a smoke free environment. They will make their own pasties there, will have a patio, and hope to be open by the end of May.
[Update--Tuesday, April 21st, 2009--Andrew Weiland of the Biz Times posted an item today entitled "Mimma's Cafe alive and well." It outlines the situation in a clear and comprehensible fashion, and takes a deserved swipe at the Business Journal coverage of the story.--Ed.]

LAW FIRMS HURTING

Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek, SC, is among law firms hurting in this town. A number of attorneys have been let go there. Mark Miller [Marquette U '83] of the firm was not available for comment on the dismissals. ... If there are any active attorneys left in this city, please tell us if it is legal for the operators of Eastcastle Place and Newcastle Place, upscale elderly community facilities, to use juvenile court records as part of their employment screening process. I thought those things were off-limits! ... Bill DeLind sends a note saying he is rarin' to go at his new location in George Watts & Son. Classy Bill is serving wine tonight to Watts workers as a little "pleased-to-meet-you." ... Get over to the first floor meeting room of Convent Hill, 455 E. Ogden Ave. this evening, Thursday, April 16th, 2009, for a public meeting on art installations (temporary) this summer in the vacant Park East Freeway Corridor. For more see, http://www.insitemilwaukee.org/.

CANOE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME

Ald. Nik Kovac canoed from the Milwaukee Rowing Center to Miller Park yesterday, Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 to demonstrate the range of alternative transportation options in Milwaukee. I'm not sure what he did with the canoe at Miller Park, but I suggested using Aldermen Donovan and Dudzik as anchors. En route, Kovac stopped by the Milwaukeeworld dock where I handed him a Buffalo Water Bison Blonde Lager beer for the trip. --Michael Horne