Even during Prohibition, the establishment prospered under new owners as the Gordon Park Pharmacy where —for the right price and perhaps a secret password — determined patrons could procure “medicinal beverages.”
From the end of Prohibition through the early 1950s , the corner tavern went through several owners and name changes till a transplanted New Yorker named Chic Giacalone purchased the property in 1952 and re-named it the Uptowner.
Then in 1985, Steve Johnson, purchased the Uptowner from Chic and under his shrewd, if somewhat unorthodox managerial style, it still flourishes today as one of Milwaukee’s last original Schlitz “Tied Houses” and Wisconsin’s oldest continuously operating purveyor of adult beverages……
…… Except not for much longer if something cannot be worked out with Seaway Bank of Chicago.
Why?
Back in 2006, Stephen Johnson used equity in the Uptowner building to procure a line of credit with Legacy Bank of Milwaukee to invest in the redevelopment of three other properties in the community via Federal government-backed economic development loans.
Over the next six years, Steve faithfully made made his monthly mortgage payments and worked on refurbishing the properties, two of which were completely empty and boarded up when he began.
Then, in 2011, Legacy Bank failed like so many banks due to the global recession. Seaway Bank of Chicago took over its assets for pennies on the dollar in a deal subsidized by the FDIC.
Meanwhile, Steve found it increasingly difficult to pay the mortgages in full under the terms and conditions agreed upon in 2006 and maintain and improve the properties at the same time. He tried to negotiate loan modifications to no avail since 2010. Seaway Bank has consistently refused to negotiate and have instead called in the loans in full.
After years of failed attempts to achieve a win-win settlement with Seaway Bank, time is now short. Foreclosure proceedings are underway and the buildings may be sold early to mid summer.
Funds are needed for legal fees and to pay down debt if a settlement can still be negotiated to SAVE UPTOWNER.
Investors seeking a return are also welcome. Email us to discuss. Thank you in advance!
Any funds raised not needed for the purpose described above will be used to start a non- profit organization designed to help other small business owners who find themselves similarly being bullied out of business by bankers and their morally limited lawyers.