Yikes. Beans & Barley (1901 E. North Ave.) is closing! The news went out on the East Side vegetarian institution’s social media this morning. The closing date is Jan. 31, 2026. I know I’m not alone in having a deep well of memories from this place – dining in the café, shopping in the deli/retail area, etc. I remember the smaller original location that preceded it – that building was destroyed by fire in 1993, 20 years after Beans opened. The restaurant was one of the first, on the East Side at least, to cater specifically to the local vegetarian community, and has frequently featured amongst the best vegetarian food options in Milwaukee.
The post explains that the building is being sold and that the Beans & Barley owners are not in a position to buy it. “We hope that these last few months,” the announcement reads, “will bring a chance to see all of you here for one last time, and to give this legendary business the send-off we think she deserves.”
In the announcement, the owners urge employers in the local hospitality industry to hire “someone from our incredible staff, any of you would be lucky to have one of our 70 employees doing the great work for you that they have done for us.”
In the last year, Beans has made news for reasons that can’t have helped its business. On April 30, the restaurant was shut down by the Milwaukee Health Department for one day due to multiple health code violations discovered during a routine inspection. Six months before that, the public was alerted that a Beans employee had tested positive for Hepatitis A.
Another passage from the closing announcement echoes a message that always bears repeating: “We strongly urge you, should you have the means please, please, please frequent and support your local small businesses,” naming not just restaurants but local hospitality and makers of all kinds. “They will not make it without you,” the announcement continues, “they make up your community, they are what makes this city incredible, and they need you.”
Until Jan. 31, you have the opportunity to do that for Beans & Barley.
