2 Restaurants Close, Citing COVID-19-Related Financial Hardship

MILWAUKEE, WI — Two restaurants on Milwaukee's east side are closing back down after their owner cited the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as the reason why.

Leslie Montemurro, who owns both Fuel Café and Comet Café, said each restaurant has struggled to remain financially viable.

Fuel Café on Center Street closed Sunday. Comet has been closed since July 5.

"This decision was difficult, but necessary, as both restaurants have struggled to remain financially viable during the COVID-19 health crisis," Owner Leslie Montemurro said of both restaurants said in a WISN 12 report. "We are grateful to our customers for their loyalty and support over the years and for our staff who has always worked hard to make these restaurants a welcome gathering place in our communities. Staff has been informed of the closures. We hope to resume operating at both locations at some time in the future when it is appropriate to do so."

Yet one employee who worked at Comet Café said the restaurant wasn't safe, and when she and fellow workers brought up issues with management, they were let go.

“They told us, in no uncertain terms, that they were going to meet our demands and then to have them just close the restaurant citing COVID a few days later seems deliberate," Isaiah Santiago said in a CBS 58 report.