Two Biggby Coffee shops that had become part of the Milwaukee-area coffee circuit abruptly closed on Monday, March 9, 2026, taking out the downtown Red Arrow Park kiosk and a storefront in Franklin in one shot. The sudden shutdown wiped out a convenient stop for skaters and nearby office workers, and regulars were left staring at dark windows where their morning caffeine used to be. The closures also mark a quick pullback for a brand that only recently planted its flag in the local market.
According to the Milwaukee Business Journal, both the Red Arrow Park location and the Franklin shop have now closed. The outlet reports that the franchisees who brought Biggby to Wisconsin first opened the brand here in 2021, and it lists the shuttered sites along with the broader local footprint of those franchise owners.
Where they were located
The downtown kiosk operated out of the Red Arrow Park concession at 920 N. Water St., right next to the Slice of Ice skating rink, according to MapQuest. The Franklin cafe was listed at 7700 S. Lovers Lane Rd., Suite 100, in local directories. Both addresses showed up as active company and community listings before the closures hit.
From grand opening to sudden shutdown
Biggby’s Red Arrow Park cafe opened in late 2024, stepping in for a long‑running Starbucks and serving park visitors during the winter skating season, according to a Milwaukee County Parks press release carried by Urban Milwaukee. The kiosk was promoted as part of downtown’s seasonal programming and community events. By that point, the franchise owners were already operating other Biggby locations in the area before launching the Red Arrow spot.
What we still don’t know
The Milwaukee Business Journal report does not give any reason for the closures. At the time of that article, neither the company nor the local franchisees had posted a public explanation. Public records and local listings continued to reflect the former addresses as recently active up until around March 9.
Why it matters for downtown
The Red Arrow kiosk was a highly visible perk for skaters and downtown visitors, and its closure wipes out one of the few true grab‑and‑go cafe options right next to the rink. Coverage of the Slice of Ice rink returns in December 2024 noted how Biggby’s arrival had been touted as a way to help activate the park during winter events. Neighbors and event organizers will likely be watching to see which vendor, if any, steps into the space next…