Plans For Throwback Eatery And Beer Garden In Greenfield Move Ahead

GREENFIELD, WI — Plans are moving forward for a new "throwback" restaurant concept, beer garden and Café Hollander location in Greenfield as part of a development near 84th Street and Layton Avenue, the restaurant group behind the plans announced Wednesday.

The new restaurant concept, which comes from The Lowlands Group, is set to be called The Feisty Loon. Lowlands described it as the "playful junior of Buckatabon and equally reminiscent of beloved memories Up North." Bucktabon is the group's supper club concept in Wauwatosa.

The Feisty Loon will be a throwback to the 50s and 60s with a clean mid-century modern feel meeting eclectic and fun design, Lowlands said. Visitors will be able to expect Wisconsin favorites such as brunch, fish fry, prime rib, burgers, cocktails and beer, according to a release.

The project will also include an outdoor greenspace with a bier garden that can be activated for community gatherings, sports viewing and live music; plus the group's sixth Café Hollander location, a news release from Lowlands said. The beer garden and outdoor space is also set to include a bar and outdoor dining with brick-oven pizza and ice cream.

The group said construction is expected to begin in the spring after a Greenfield Plan Commission review on Tuesday. The two restaurants could be open as soon as late 2023 or early 2024, with the beer garden possibly opening by summer 2024. Once open, the trio is expected to employ over 150 people, Lowlands said.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to develop our most ambitious project so far in Greenfield,” said Lowlands CEO Eric Wagner in a news release. “We spent months getting to know the community, and we really hope to deliver an amenity that will serve as a gathering place for the entire area. This great corner is going to be highly activated, and our guests will be able to bounce between the restaurants and the outdoor space and make an entire evening or a whole day out of it.”

The new restaurant plans come as part of Cobalt Partners' 84South mixed-use development, which encompasses 50 acres.

“During our initial planning for 84South, we identified Lowlands Group as a best-in-class operator and our first choice for the coveted corner site that we reserved for something incredibly special for the community,” said Scott Yauck of Cobalt Partners in the release. “As 84South has become the top live-work-play destination in the southwest suburban marketplace, it is befitting that we partner with such a strong brand to deliver on this promise. Inspired by the Lowlands of Europe and the Northwoods of Wisconsin, Eric Wagner and his team create cozy, comfortable, and authentic atmospheres that provide a strong social connection. We are thrilled to break ground on these vibrant concepts that will create a ‘destination within a destination’ at 84South.”

In a statement in the release, Greenfield Mayor Michael Neiztke noted excitement to see Lowlands "spread their style in Greenfield!"