Safe House to close in early 2016 for renovations after it was sold to Marcus Corp.

MILWAUKEE -- The Safe House in Milwaukee, a popular spy-themed restaurant recently sold to The Marcus Corp. will close in early 2016 for renovations.

The Milwaukee Business Journal is reporting the restaurant will close on January 30th and reopen on March 1st with a new coat of paint, new tables and chairs and other improvements.

“We’re going to keep everything that is core and integral to the Safe House. Burt Reynolds is not leaving the bathroom," Peggy Williams-Smith told the Milwaukee Business Journal.

Williams-Smith was promoted to be senior vice president of Safe House Restaurants.

Beyond the renovation in Milwaukee, Marcus officials want to expand the restaurant brand to new cities, she told the Business Journal.

Another Midwestern location outside Milwaukee has been identified, and more details will be released shortly, she said.

“It has got legs,” she said of the Safe House concept. “It is something we think we can work in cities that attract a lot of tourists. Spying is the second-oldest profession. It’s actually spoken about in the Bible.”

Milwaukee-based Marcus Corp. in June bought the Safe House from owner and creator Dave Baldwin, who died on December 20th.

The restaurant is tucked away in an alley off Wells Street near Water Street.

The Newsroom Pub, which fronts the Safe House on Wells Street, will remain open during the Safe House renovation, but will not serve food, Williams-Smith said.