The Fermentorium Vinyl Lounge, a cog in the revitalization along the West North Avenue commercial strip in East Tosa, has closed its doors, effective immediately, owner Kristopher Volkman announced in a Facebook post late Tuesday afternoon.
“After much consideration, we have made the difficult decision to cease operations effective immediately,” Volkman wrote. “This decision was not made lightly, and we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you, especially our loyal Vinyl Lounge Mug Club members, who have been a part of our journey.”
Volkman expressed his appreciation for the “support, loyalty and collaboration” the bar’s customers have shown since the taproom opened at 6933 W. North Ave. in May 2019.
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“Our team has worked tirelessly to provide the best products and services possible, and we are proud of the relationships we have built. However, continuing operations is no longer viable,” Volkman wrote. “While our chapter in East Tosa is closing, we are grateful for the memories and connections we’ve made in the community.”
With the closing of the Tosa location, Volkman said the focus will now solely be on growing The Fermentorium’s original brewery and taproom in Cedarburg, which opened in 2016.
When the Tosa location opened, it was known as The Fermentorium Barrel House to reflect a plan to have the location serve as its barrel-aging operation, although that plan never materialized.
The Fermentorium had to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic less than a year after the opening of the Tosa location. The spot later added a kitchen serving snacks and Cranky Al’s frozen pizzas, and in summer 2022 a renovation added large booths along the wall across from expansive bar. In October 2022, the Wauwatosa taproom rebranded as the Vinyl Lounge, adding a record store to the rear of the space and giving customers the opportunity to pick up used vinyl records while enjoying Fermentorium beers like Sweater Weather imperial milk stout.
The Fermentorium had been part of a burgeoning North Avenue bar scene in East Tosa that also includes the revamped Walters on North, The Drunken Cobra, BB’s on North, Camp Bar and Wauwatiki Bar and Grill, among others. Two breweries opened locations on North Avenue last year: Neenah’s Lion’s Tail Brewing has a popular taproom several blocks west of The Fermentorium Vinyl Lounge, and Riverwest’s Gathering Place Brewing opened just two blocks away in the former Stock House Brewing.
