The owner of Milwaukee-based
ZYN, a maker of curcumin-infused beverages, is eyeing a 134-year-old industrial building in Walker’s Point for possible use for that business or another endeavor.
According to Plan Commission documents,
SUR Natural Health Brands, LLC, recently submitted a request to rezone the building at 913 W. Bruce St., from heavy industrial (IH) to Industrial Commercial, to “facilitate a food and beverage-oriented development with both industrial and commercial uses.” The request also mentions plans to “renovate the previously vacant industrial building to attract additional industrial and commercial businesses to the area.”
The state Department of Commerce lists the registered agent for the LLC, as Asim Khan. Khan, along with his brother Qasim Khan, own and operate ZYN.
Reached briefly on Thursday morning, Asim Khan was able to confirm the rezoning request, but could not immediately answer questions or offer further details on his plans for the building.
It is not clear if the building will be used to produce ZYN beverages or if it will be used for another product or other endeavors.
At 32,800 square feet, the three-story structure has 16-foot-high ceilings and was originally built for the Interior Woodwork Co, according to 2019 real estate listings and the Wisconsin Historical Society. According to state records, SUR Natural Health Brands, LLC, purchased the building in September 2021 from Raphael Industries, Inc., of West Allis, paying $440,000.
An “About Us” section on ZYN’s website states that the Khan brothers became interested in making a turmeric-infused line of beverages after a family trip to Pakistan in November 2016.
Turmeric has long been used as a spice in Asian dishes, and as a dye for its rich golden color. It has gained a following in healthy living circles recently for its purported abilities to ease inflammation.
The Khan brothers say they researched turmeric and discovered its immunity boosting and inflammation reducing healing power comes from a tiny compound called curcumin, which they include in ZYN beverages.
