A 96-year-old building on Milwaukee’s south side could be renovated to house a new Middle Eastern deli and restaurant.
Mohammed Hani Sawah, owner of Sleep Tight LLC, purchased the property from the city for $125,000, and plans to spend an estimated $452,500 on building renovations for the new deli and restaurant that will occupy the ground level, according to a city land disposition report.
The city acquired the 5,125 square-foot, two-story building, located at 3060-62 S. 13th St.in 2016 through property tax foreclosure.
Riham Silan will operate the restaurant, which will serve traditional Syrian dishes, coffees and desserts. According to the report, Silan in 2011 fled Damascus, Syria for Kuwait as a refugee, and soon after, sought refuge in the U.S. Her family still owns one of the oldest restaurants in Damascus.
Planned interior renovations include electrical and plumbing upgrades, new flooring, new kitchen, painting, new equipment for the business, and cabinetry, and exterior improvements include siding, security doors and lighting, and roof replacement. The building’s second floor residential unit will be renovated for Sawah’s family.
The city’s Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee approved Sawah’s plans on May 1. The project will head to the full Common Council for approval.
