Business Journal Report (1-30-12)



Appliance World appears to have closed its three stores in southeastern Wisconsin, the downtown Milwaukee streetcar plan has received federal approval, and Outpost Natural Foods will open a kiosk in the lobby of Aurora Sinai Medical Center.

Appliance World's Germantown location has a sign that says "closed for inventory," but no one was inside taking inventory, and the store was dark Monday. Appliance World's other locations did not answer their phones.

A check of online court records shows the Wisconsin Department of Revenue filed several cases against Appliance World in 2010 and 2011, and is accusing the company of owing tens of thousands of dollars in delinquent taxes.

The downtown Milwaukee streetcar program has received federal approval, which clears the path for city officials to spend its $55 million in federal grant money to complete engineering and eventually build the system. The city will need about a year to engineer the plan, and construction of the new line could start by late 2013.

The Outpost Market Cafe kiosk is set to open in the lobby of Aurora Sinai Medical Center. The cafe will offer bakery items, sandwiches, soups and salads, and is expected to open in spring of 2012.