Bar, restaurant owners ready for Harley-Davidson street parties
East side of Milwaukee prepares for street parties
East side of Milwaukee prepares for street parties
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The music might be the only think as loud as the motorcycles as the lineups for the Harley-Davidson street parties are announced in Milwaukee. There are three parties in all.
In less than two weeks, the corner of North and Farwell in Milwaukee will be in the middle of all kinds of action -- much to Gary Johnson's delight.
"Definitely excited! Can't wait! Brings back memories of the 100th,105th. And those were just outstanding days. And I'm lookin' forward to more of the same," said Johnson.
Johnson is the owner of BBC Bar and Grill. he says he's already preparing for Harley-Davidson's 110th Anniversary Celebration.
"I've got roughly 40 to 50 employees. But probably that day, I'm gonna be pushin' 60," said Johnson.
The street party takes place on E. North Ave. between Prospect and Oakland. It's the first of three during the celebration's four days. Johnson says he enjoys the chance to show off his business -- but not as much as he enjoys being part of the effort to show off the city.
"That's the game plan. I mean, you want to impress all the people that are in from out of town. We're going to have a lot of visitors from all over the world -- and we want to show 'em what a good time it is here," said Johnson.
A block away at Beans and Barley, co-owner James Neumeyer says he and his staff are plenty pumped about the pending party.
"On the 105th there was a ton of activity, all up and down the street. All up and down North Avenue," said Neumeyer.
Anticipating a similar level of activity, Neumeyer says he'll have extra staff available to help ensure everyone enjoys the event.
"What we saw it as was, you know, a Milwaukee-event, a community-event, which-- we're a very community-minded restaurant business. So as it entered our community, we're just goin'--goin' with the flow," said Neumeyer.
The other two Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary street Parties are scheduled for downtown Milwaukee. On August 31st, it will be held on N. Milwaukee St. -- and on September 1st, you'll find it on E. Juneau.