Lakeside Pub & Grill in Cudahy is closed until further notice after an early morning fire damaged the building.
As the smell of smoke still hung in the air Thursday afternoon, a sign in front of the boarded-up business at 3800 E. Layton Ave. stated: “The hardest times make the strongest people.” Another sign thanked customers for their support and well wishes. Workers from a fire restoration firm were busy boarding up windows and placing tarps along the side entrance, and a few employees and others watched from the street. Motorists passed by slowly or briefly stopped to check out the scene.
Firefighters were called to the establishment at 6:18 a.m. Thursday for a report of smoke, Cudahy Battalion Fire Chief Justin Piper told Milwaukee Magazine. His vehicle was the first to arrive at the fire.
“Once on scene, we found a lot of smoke in the area,” Piper said. “Initially, I didn’t see any fire on the building but once I got out of my vehicle and started inspecting the building, we found some fire that was coming out of the west side.”
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The fire was extinguished within about 10 minutes after firefighters arrived, Piper said. “But we remained looking for hotspots and pulling ceilings, just to make sure we got all of it,” he said. “We continued to do that for about an hour. I left the scene about 90 minutes after we first arrived.”
The fire could have started in the kitchen, he said. “I don’t know for sure if it started there, but the reason I point to that area is because that’s where I saw fire first,” Piper said, noting the cause is under investigation.
Lakeside’s owners couldn’t be reached for comment.
“We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our amazing customers and community for your support, patience, and kindness as we navigate this difficult time,” the business posted on its Facebook page, adding that Lakeside will be closed indefinitely.
“Inspired by a father’s love for Lake Michigan and a grandfather’s influence, our restaurant honors sailing spirit and community pride,” Lakeside’s website states.
Earlier this year, Lakeside set up a small memorial to honor late Milwaukee police officer Kendall Corder at the seat at the bar where Corder, a regular patron, used to sit. Corder was shot after he and his partner, Christopher McCray, responded to a June 26 call for a person with a weapon. They were ambushed at North 24th Place and West Garfield Avenue. Corder died three days later.
Fire restoration workers were on scene Thursday afternoon boarding up windows and placing tarps along the west side entrance.
The building previously housed Rudy’s Bar.
