MILWAUKEE — American Serb Memorial Hall, long known for its fish fries as well as a venue space for political rallies and presidential visits, is now for sale, according to reports.
The space, located at 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave. in Milwaukee, will be listed by Founders 3 Real Estate, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and OnMilwaukeereport. The real estate company has yet to update its website regarding the property.
Serb Hall was founded more than 70 years ago and has since become known as a space for notable political events. A number of presidents have stopped by over the years, including John F. Kennedy, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Lyndon Johnson, Ronald Reagan, George Bush and Bill Clinton, Milwaukee County Supervisor Joseph J. Czarnezki says.
The hall also drew attention during a Trump rally at the space last November, in which the reported 500 attendees surpassed the 100-person limit required in the City of Milwaukee's COVID-19 order. A manager at Serb Hall, Nicholas Alioto, was pushed to the ground during the rally. He passed away several weeks later at 55.
Serb Hall is also famous for its fish fries, often regarded as the city's best. The operators of the fry say they plan to continue its drive-thru fish fry, in operation amid the pandemic, indefinitely, according to the news reports.
St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, located blocks from Serb Hall, is the owner of the property.
“Serb Hall was an important gathering place for Milwaukee’s Serbian community as well as many other community groups and organizations. It will be remembered for its extraordinary hospitality," Supervisor Czarnezki said in a statement Tuesday.
Alderman Mark A. Borkowski also said in a statement: "I am proud to represent this area and am forever grateful to the always welcoming St. Sava Serbian community. I look forward to continuing to help maintain this important location as a viable commercial entity for the betterment of the City of Milwaukee."
