Dunkin' is lining up a move into the long-quiet North Avenue Market building at 5900 W. North Ave., according to project filings, with plans to fire up the existing drive-thru and bring back life to the pergola-covered patio. The proposal pegs daily hours at 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., clearly aiming to catch both early commuters and evening caffeine runs.
According to Urban Milwaukee, franchisee Kardo Rasha submitted documents showing the Dunkin' would take over part of the 10,232-square-foot building, with the rest of the space carved up for future tenants. The existing drive-thru, which can handle about 10 cars, would stay as is but get a refresh that includes a new menu board and speaker canopy.
Local franchisee behind the plan
Kardo Rasha, president of the Kardo Group, is listed in the filing as the prospective operator. His company already runs multiple quick-service concepts and local Dunkin' spots, including a downtown store at 111 E. Wisconsin Ave., reporting by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel shows. The new location is pitched as an all-of-the-above setup, with dine-in, carryout, mobile ordering and drive-thru service.
Building's recent run
The space debuted as North Avenue Market in 2022, but the food-hall experiment shut down in September 2024 after a run of concept changes and short-lived anchor tenants. SH Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation, acquired the property in a non-arms-length transaction recorded in September 2025 for about $1.25 million, Urban Milwaukee reports.
What comes next
The Dunkin' proposal still has to clear the usual city hurdles before any buildout or opening can happen. Zoning and building permits typically come first for changes like new drive-thru canopies and signage. Local reporting notes the company has already filed plans with municipal officials, and the site will need formal city approval before it officially becomes a Dunkin' location, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
