Blighted South-Side Building Will Become New Cafe
New Halo Cafe will brighten street in Historic Mitchell Street Neighborhood.
Planned site for New Halo Cafe, 564 W. Rogers St. Photo taken April 11, 2025, by Jeramey Jannene.
When emerging developer Crystal Lemmer purchased a corner parcel at 1978 S. 6th St. last year, she added two buildings to her growing portfolio. Her plan was to renovate the parcel’s residential property and use the income to establish a community café in the neighboring commercial building.
Now, that plan has sprung into action.
According to a city occupancy application, Lemmer plans to open New Halo Cafe, addressed as 564 W. Rogers St., a space that formerly housed a bodega but, as Common Council President José G. Pérez put it, “has been blighted for a while.” It’s located in the Historic Mitchell Street neighborhood, which includes the area between W. Greenfield Avenue and W. Becher Street and S. 5th and S. 16th streets.
The application lists pastries, doughnuts and bread to be served alongside coffee, espresso drinks, teas and “other specialty beverages” on the café’s menu.
The proposed hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Renovations to the building’s interior, from the seating area to the bathroom to the prep space, are proposed. Three employees are expected to operate the space.
Lemmer did not respond to outreach for comment in time for publication.
“The cafe will provide a welcoming environment for individuals, families, students and professionals to gather, work and connect,” reads the application.
The cafe’s licenses are pending before the Milwaukee Common Council.
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