Allie Boy's Bagelry & Luncheonette adding location on Milwaukee's east side

The owners of Allie Boy’s Bagelry and Luncheonette are planning to open a second location at 2108 N. Farwell Ave.

Thanks to their success at their 135 E. National Ave. location, Staci Lopez and Ben Nerenhausen said Tuesday that they're eager to bring their beloved bagel shop to Milwaukee's east side. They're hoping to open in May.

Lopez and Nerenhausen opened the bagel shop in Walker's Point in 2020 and were immediately met with hurdles along the way.

First, the coronavirus pandemic forced the couple to hold off on their planned March 2020 opening date. They opened as a take-out-only shop in May 2020 and had to quickly close temporarily after heavy rains caused their basement to flood. A few months later, a fire started in the basement. A few months after that, a car crashed into the foundation after a police chase.

"Our first six months gave us a run for our money," Nerenhausen said.

The couple is now facing another challenge — space.

"We're operating out of a 1,300-square-foot space," Lopez said. "It's a very good problem to have but we're maxing out."

The new space will give them the opportunity to buy bigger equipment that doesn't limit the amount of bagels they can make.

Lopez and Nerenhausen have been looking for a second location for a while. Originally, they were looking for a commercial spot until they came across the space on Farwell Avenue building. The new location will have a sit-down area and a parking lot.

The menu will be simplified, featuring their classics and popular items like egg and cheese sandwiches, lox bagels, pastrami bagels and more.