All Quiet on Pilgrim and Main, But That Could Soon Change

The highly visible corner of Pilgrim Road and Main Street in Menomonee Falls has also been a highly discussed topic of conversation in the village.

For most of 2013, construction has halted on the landmark building on the corner of Pilgrim Road and Main Street. The exterior is complete, but the interior remains empty. In November, Patch reported that in the building, but that hasn't materialized.

At the time, CBRE Vice President Andrew Stefanich said Toppers would occupy the site in spring 2013. Toppers even picked up HVAC applications with the village, but the location and layout of the pizzeria just wasn’t right.

A village staffer said the proposed layout would have allowed passers-by a view into the kitchen through the large windows facing the intersection. It was suggested they locate in a far end of the building, or another location within the same shopping center. 

A representative from Toppers Pizza World Headquarters said Tuesday that the company is still interested in locating in that shopping center, but the plans have been temprarily put on hold. 

Curiosity from residents was further piqued when Schlotzsky’s Deli owner Dan Gorman closed up shop. The closing left two prominent vacancies in an area long targeted for major improvements. However, it seems there could be light at the end of the tunnel — and plenty more intrigue.

"Yes, we’ve had a significant amount of interest and are very close on a few potential deals there,” Stefanich wrote in an email to Patch Tuesday. “We should be in a position to discuss in a few weeks.  If you reach back out to me mid-May, I should be able to let you know more.”

Community Development Director Matt Carran also said a proposed tenant for the landmark building was in Village Hall picking up applications. Another business was also inquiring about Schlotzky’s, but no official permit requests have been submitted at this point. Carran said they cannot disclose the name of those businesses until an official application is received by the village.

In 2011, the village advanced a , as well as a right of way land purchase on that corner site. The $620,000 right-of-way purchase allows for future expansion of Pilgrim Road. The village also advanced $200,000 to buffer costs resulting from environmental remediation needed on the gas station site.

Patch will continue to bring more updates as they are released regarding that particular corner of the village.