New bookstore, café and community space coming to 5th Aldermanic District

Today the Common Council adopted a file that authorizes the sale of the City-owned tax deed property at 3953 North 76th Street. With today’s vote, we are one step closer to welcoming Darick Spears and his business, Darick Books Café Complex, to the 5th District.

The property, vacant since 2011, will be developed into a multi-purpose facility for community engagement, entrepreneurial growth and provide an environment to uplift, teach and create. The first level will include a co-working space, laundromat and gym for co-working members, and the second level will house Darick Books Café, book sales and printing services. Proposed renovations will represent a nearly $1 million investment that will uplift the surrounding area. It is anticipated that the new space will be open within the next 18 months.

I couldn’t be more thrilled about this new amenity coming to the 5th District. For more than a decade this site has been a general eyesore in the district, and often an illegal dumping target. Since I’ve been elected, there have been nearly 50 proposals for this space, but none have met my vision for the area or brought the value that Darick Books Café Complex will. It’s hard to think of a better fit for this space and the district.

Darick is a man of many talents, leveraging his experience as an author, publisher, producer, business owner, public speaker and Rolling Stone monthly contributor to support those in the community. Among the services he offers are photography, copywriting, business plan writing, sound design and much more. Darick Books Café Complex will support more than 50 jobs in the area, including seven full time positions.

I want to thank Darick for the investment he is making in the 5th District, and the Department of City Development for the attention and care they put into matching this property with such a worthwhile partner. We’ve been working together for several months to lay the groundwork for this project and to bring it across the finish line.

I look forward to celebrating the grand opening of this new community hub in the future! For more information on Darick Books, please visit https://darickbooks.com/.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.