Sweet Connie's Cafe on King Drive is turning off the lights for good, less than a year after its soft debut in March 2025. The permanent closure comes at the end of a rough stretch that included major construction problems and a serious illness for co-owner Consuela "Connie" Towns.
The partners announced the shutdown on social media on Jan. 27, saying it was effective immediately. They added that events already booked in the space will still go on as planned and that organizers will be contacted directly, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Owner Health And Community Support
Co-owner Consuela "Connie" Towns shared that she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer shortly after the cafe opened and underwent major surgery in May. Even so, she continued baking and working the cafe while receiving treatment, she told TMJ4.
A GoFundMe campaign and local coverage showed the fundraiser had brought in roughly $2,040 toward a $4,000 goal, and the owners publicly thanked customers for stepping up, according to Urban Milwaukee.
Construction Delays And Code Hurdles
Landlord Jake Dehne said the buildout of Sweet Connie's ran into "serious unforeseen challenges including electric and building code requirements," issues that repeatedly pushed back the opening timeline, as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The cafe was first proposed in 2023, but the brick and mortar spot did not open until March 2025 after years of delays. While they waited for the space to be ready, the partners ran a catering business and covered much of the buildout cost themselves, according to local reporting.
What Is Next For The Space
Sweet Connie's took over the longtime Spice House flagship storefront at 1031 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The building is co-owned by brothers Seth and Jake Dehne, who also operate other bars and restaurants nearby. What will move into the space next is still up in the air as the cafe's owners and the landlord decide how to proceed, Urban Milwaukee reports.
The closure leaves King Drive without what had quickly become a short-lived but memorable presence on the corridor. This story will be updated if the co-owners or building managers share any new plans for the storefront.
