Bring your imagination: An update on Story Hill BKC

The final logo for Story Hill BKC has yet to be chosen, but here are two concepts that have been developed. BKC will hold a bustling cafe with an open kitchen at the back. Exposed Cream City brick walls will enhance the rustic feel of the space. Original terrazzo will be refurbished to give the cafe old world charm. Published Feb. 26, 2014 at 11:07 a.m.

"Bring your imagination," read the text from Chef Joe Muench as he invited me to tour the future home of Story Hill BKC at 5102 W. Bluemound Rd., which is scheduled to open sometime this summer.

And there was no pretense in his request. Imagination is exactly what it takes to walk into a space that's been stripped down to the studs and envision the potential of what it might become.

But, that exercise has become part of the day-to-day for restaurant owners Muench and Dan Sidner, whose vision of a coffee shop / retail shop / restaurant still rings larger than life.

"It's exciting and frustrating all at the same time," says Muench as we walk through the space bright and early on a Monday morning.

The large front windows are dusty from the demolition, and yet as the sun filters through the grime it reveals the lovely if stark landscape of Mitchell Boulevard Park. The view is broken only by the myriad colors of Nancy Metz White's recycled steel "Tree of Life" sculpture, a symbol of the artists intention that it become a place for Milwaukee locals to gather and forge new community ties.

Not surprisingly, that vision of community is part of the restaurateurs' vision, as well.

The building, which most recently housed Goldfish Uniforms, actually comprises three distinct buildings that were fused as years passed. Once a grocery store and a candy shop, the space has seen its share of neighborhood activity over the years, and Muench says the intention is to restore that vibrancy.

"We want it to be hummin' all day long," he says as he points to the area that will eventually house the caf.

The space, which will eventually benefit from natural light thanks to four newly-installed windows, will be flanked by an open kitchen with a wood-fired oven all visible from the front door as customers enter. Meanwhile, a bar with a counter will provide seating as well as equipment for coffee service.

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Bring your imagination: An update on Story Hill BKC