'This decision was not made lightly': Tosa's Fermentorium Vinyl Lounge closes suddenly

The Fermentorium Vinyl Lounge, 6933 W. North Ave., announced it has closed effective immediately, according to a post on the taproom's Facebook page Tuesday afternoon by founder Kristopher Volkman.

"This decision was not made lightly," the post said. "While our chapter in East Tosa is closing, we are grateful for the memories and connections we've made in the community."

The Vinyl Lounge is the second location for The Fermentorium, a brewery and taproom that opened in Cedarburg in 2016. The East Tosa brewpub and record store opened in 2019 and was originally named The Fermentorium Barrel House for its plan to do barrel aging, but the business didn't get the permits needed.

That's when Volkman rebranded the space as the Vinyl Lounge, giving customers a brewery experience where bartenders spin records as guests browse new and used records, drink local craft beer and eat handmade pizzas and "totchos" (tater tot nachos).

Customers expressed sadness and frustration over the sudden closure Tuesday. Volkman responded in a comment on Facebook saying that the closure happened quickly and he wishes things were different.

Some customers left comments on Facebook asking about the fate of the mugs they purchased as Vinyl Lounge Mug Club members.

"We are working out the details and definitely want to give Mug Club the opportunity to collect their mugs," the business' Facebook page said in the comments of the closure announcement. "If you're on the Mug Club email list you should see something from us this week."

Volkman did not immediately respond to a request for an interview.

The Fermentorium Vinyl Lounge is one of four breweries that has popped up in Wauwatosa over the past four years. In the closure announcement, Volkman said his team looks forward to continuing to grow in their original location in Cedarburg.

Reach out to Bridget Fogarty at bfogarty@gannett.com