Excited to read this JSOnline story this week …
The South Milwaukee Van Eimeren-Kolonka American Legion Post 27 building has been sold.
But the new owners want the Legion members to still call it home.
Mario and Nada Stillo of Oak Creek purchased the building to operate a banquet and event space to be called Bella Rose.
The building was listed for $390,000 but closed on Sept. 6 for $340,000, Duerr said. As part of that price drop, the Stillos agreed to allow the Legion to meet inside free of charge for the next five years with the option to renegotiate another five years.
Additionally, Bella Rose has Memorial Day and Veterans Day “blocked off indefinitely for the Legion,” Duerr said, adding members will get discounts for hosting other events.
“We didn’t want to uproot them,” Stillo said, adding she and her husband want the Legion members to “still call this space their home.”
Stillo said she and her husband have plans to do some “mostly cosmetic” remodeling with fresh paint, new lighting and new flooring. The larger renovation work will be completed between Legion events.
The couple plan to leave the front of the building as-is with no plans to remove any bricks or flags, Stillo said.
When the new sign is put outside naming the building Bella Rose, it will also include “home of American Legion Post 27,” according to Duerr.
Over the summer, the large American flag mural on the side of the building was defaced with black spray paint. Recently, someone named Shawn dropped a letter in the Legion’s mailbox offering to help.
“He is going to fix that for them for free,” Duerr said. “All they need to do is provide the materials. He just said he loves vets, and he wants to fix that for free because he’s really sad that happened.”
Nada Stillo confirmed she and her husband plan to work with Shawn to fix the mural. Depending on the work he does, they’re also considering contracting him to create a second mural on the other side of the building.
The Post was filled with historical documents, photos and items, many of which will go into a storage facility for now, Duerr said. However, much of the historical memorabilia will still be on display. Stillo said they may create a showcase in the bar area along with offering storage space in the building to the Legion.
The Stillos have history in the area as well. Mario Stillo’s childhood home is only a couple blocks from the Legion building. The couple had been looking for an event space in the area and Nada Stillo said this was “the perfect location, it’s where we’re from and what we know.”
She also remembers their nephew and niece going to the Post for field trips, speaking with Legion members and participating in parades.
“It really comes down to their trust in us with their history and legacy, they’re such a focal point in our community,” Stillo said. “It wasn’t really a matter of us agreeing to concessions, it was more of we just couldn’t show them enough of how much we appreciate all the work that they put into the community, but then also trust in us with their space, their home.”
South Milwaukee Blog 