The Zero-Proof Story: Who We Are
Zero-Proof Cafe & Bowl: Our Story
Zero-Proof Café & Bowl in Muskego of greater Milwaukee was designed with fun, family and community in mind. As the name implies, we are a zero-proof destination, meaning our Café & Bowl is alcohol-free allowing us to maintain a family environment at all times!
We offer a complete (and may we say ‘mouth watering’) menu, as well as outdoor patio seating, live music, free wifi, comedy shows, swing dancing, movie nights, themed parties, company events, and individual, group, and league bowling. And if you don’t want to bowl, no worries! All are welcome to hang out with us and enjoy the food, a cup of coffee, cold-pressed juice or festivities, either way.
We’re passionate about creating an atmosphere of care and community which captures the essence of the local music, culture and residents. There’s no place else you can be this close to this much culture, music, and community goodness, so come vibe with us!
From Our Family to Yours
Our owner, Pete Brunzelle lives on the Zero-Proof property with his wife, Casey, and their two adorable kids. Pete and his family moved into the building in 2020 after buying it from Tom and Marlene Mathers of Mather Lanes. The Mathers were ready to retire after looking after the building for 50 years, so Pete and Casey moved on in.
Pete and Casey have worked in the Substance Use and Mental Health field for many years and are passionate about helping others. Both have also worked in the service industries and dreamed of a place they could call their own while creating community. Now they have the best of both worlds at Zero-Proof by supporting their passions while building community.
Our Partnership with Project WisHope
Besides bringing family and friends together in the spirit of fun, Zero-Proof aims to engage our community members in a good cause, too.
We do this by employing individuals who are in long-term recovery but have a hard time finding employment due to their history with addiction and/or co-occurring mental health conditions. At Zero-Proof, we believe wholeheartedly that recovery is possible for everyone and that everyone deserves a second chance.
What cause are we most passionate about?
Supporting Wisconsin’s residents who are struggling to overcome addiction and mental health conditions.
In addition to this, we donate the majority of our proceeds to our partner organization, Project WisHope, a 501 (C3) nonprofit Recovery Community Organization, which aims to support, advocate, educate and mobilize Wisconsin residents who are impacted directly by addiction and mental health, and their family members, friends and allies.
Through our partnership with Project WisHope, Zero-Proof is providing not only the needed funding to this nonprofit organization so it can thrive in its mission to support our recovery community members, but we are also directly helping individuals in recovery to develop important life skills, so they can repair their relationships and rebuild their lives. By working at our cafe & bowl, these individuals also have an opportunity to gain leadership skills through our structured employee
mentorship program. We believe that by providing employment to individuals impacted directly by addiction we can enhance their hope, sense of purpose, self-worth, confidence, and, ultimately, their lives.
If you are moved by our story, please help us to help others and consider making a donation to Project WisHope today.
The History of the Building and Pioneer Road
Located on Muskego’s main street, Pioneer Road (formerly Waterford Plank Road and then later Racine Avenue), the Zero-Proof building was once known as the Thomas Savage Hotel back in the early twentieth century. At the end of this historic road was an electric interurban line called, The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company, which ran along the Muskego Recreation Trail.
According to Wisconsin Historical Markers, ‘the line split at St. Martin’s Junction, with one running to Burlington and the other, the Muskego Lakes Line, running to East Troy. As many as 42 cars carried Sunday riders back to Milwaukee from Muskego Beach Amusement Park located at the north end of Pioneer Drive. Area farmers also shipped their milk and other produce from this location.’
During this time, residents of the greater Milwaukee area experienced what was known as “interurban madness,” which had pretty much swept over most of the United States, but especially the Midwest. This meant an influx of Wisconsin travelers with a variety of interests from investors to families, to shoppers and commuters, and more. Basically, everyone wanted to take advantage of being able to travel short and intermediate distances more efficiently.
In June 1951, service through Muskego was completely discontinued. However, the remains of the electric railroad line are still in operation today between Mukwonago and East Troy and known as the “East Troy Electric Railroad.
