Ktown Connects

Let’s get this par-tea started as we connect with Russ Collier – owner and operator of Southport Tea, located at 5701 Sixth Ave in Downtown Kenosha. We dive deep into Russ growing up in Winthrop Harbor – a community so devoid of activities, that his family had to regularly visit our fine city of Kenosha for recreation and fun. Russ has an interesting story which brings him to the bustling city of...

Turn this one up to 11 as we connect with local music legend and community leader Rick Branch! Rick grew up not far away, in Zion, and had a love of music that began as a young boy influenced by records his parents would play growing up. By the time he reached his teens, he began singing in garage bands and establishing lifelong connections in the local music scene.  Today, Rick is the singer of T...

Ole Johnson is a young man with passion. His love for history and the theatrical experience led to meeting Jeff Baas, owner of the Kenosha Theatre, 5919 Sixth Ave. For decades, Baas has worked to restore the 1927 theatre which has been closed since 1963. Ole Johnson has come on board as a “volunteer spokesperson” for the theatre, doing what Ole says, “a favor nobody asked for.”  He is the organize...

Today we connect with Ann Morelli. Ann and her husband, Tom opened Morelli’s Deli in 1998. For the past 28 years, this dynamic duo and their staff have been serving up some of the best hot beef, deli sandwiches, and soups to the Kenosha community. Ann talks about her and Tom’s past experience with convenience stores which led to their success taking over what was formerly Southport Pantry and prio...

Kenosha Book Festival is held across the street from Studio Moonfall, 5031 7th Ave., the third Sunday of the month this summer: May 17th, June 21st, July 19th, August 16th, September 20th, and BOOK-O-WEEN on Saturday, October 31st.   We have a variety of guests today, including event organizer, author, and Studio Moonfall owner, Donovan Scherer.   Stop in to Studio Moonfall or see him this summer...

What do we got brewing here? It’s Trevor Brooks of Kenosha Coffee Roasters !   We connect with Trevor and chat about his younger days being mentored by Keno-core punk rock legends, remembering old friends and recalling the days as a Reuther student where he wandered the neighborhood and felt a special connection to the Cast Iron Front building on 11th and 55th St .  Kenosha Coffee Roasters is loca...

From his young years being surrounded by musicians and music lovers, to becoming a child care worker, to summoning the spirit of a pretentious cranky blues musician, we connect with Danny Crucianelli of Old Brown Shoes!  Follow Old Brown Shoes on Facebook and Instagram to be up to date on all his upcoming performances!   Old Brown Shoes takes the stage on the last Sunday of every month at Rustic R...

The final stop of our World Tour 26 brings us to Franks Diner where we sit down with Chuck Nelson, owner of Rustic Road, 5706 Sixth Ave. We talk with Chuck about his previous career, why Kenosha, and dig deep into his love life!   Rustic Road Brewing Company is Downtown Kenosha’s premiere craft brewer. They have 14 beers on tap with a rotating selection of their dozens of recipes – brewed right th...

We get weird as we sit down and get to know Lori and Neva – the mother/daughter team behind Kenosha’s newest and most unique vintage shop – Pretty Weird, 4706 Seventh Avenue.   From taxidermy of all kinds, odd jewelry, clothing that your eccentric aunt may have worn, strange pieces of art, and so much more, Pretty Weird needs to be seen to be believed! Stop in to see them Thurdays and Fridays, Noo...

We sit down with two of our favorite people at Public Brewing Company – General Manager Rex and Executive Chef Josh for this mini-conversation to talk beer, cheese, and more.  Unfortunately, on April 6, 2026, just a few weeks after recording this episode, Lakefront Brewing, announced they were shutting down Public Brewing immediately and indefinitely. Sad day in Kenosha.  This episode was recorded...

From vandalizing Dairy Queen to a billion streams! Luke Olson sits down with us for a live appearance at Union Park Tavern to talk about his life and music. As the lead vocalist of the indie-rock band The Walters, Olson saw the group go through its share of ups and downs before their signature song “I Love You So” became a viral sensation on TikTok.  In addition to The Walters, Luke stays busy per...

It’s getting spooky in here, as we connect with Chelsea, the owner and operator of Kenosha’s one and only horror-themed bar – The Final Girl, 7546 Sheridan Road. In addition to the spectacular murals strewn across the bar, five pinball games, and a bunch of board games for your amusement, The Final Girl also has a wide selection of alcohol and THC drinks and a one-of-a-kind food menu! Check out th...

As a youngster growing up in Kenosha, Braxton Molinaro discovered his love for theater. A passion that has only grown stronger through time. Braxton has honed his craft from coast to coast and has brought a taste of these high-quality performances back to Kenosha working with the KAPA Repertory Theatre with recent shows, Stuart Little, Wonka, and the now famous Little Shop of Horrors performance o...

Coming from a Greek family with deep restaurant roots, Dino Katris tried to escape his ultimate destiny – but he always came back to restaurants. In just a short time, Dino has become recognized for honoring the legacy of classic eateries while giving them renewed energy.   Most recently he helped bring a downtown restaurant back with Mr. Yee’s, 5030 Sixth Ave. , he is also involved in Yogi’s Pud’...

What is happening here? Ktown Connects is reaching across the border! We connect with JJ McAuliffe, owner of McAuliffe’s Pub, 3700 Meachem Road in Racine!  JJ knew the assignment and he came to talk, so enjoy this super-sized episode! We get to know young JJ – how he discovered his love for metal and punk rock as a kid, to booking bands in the 80’s, his issue with Elvis Costello, and how he evolve...

Today we connect with Michelle Pedicone, owner of 58 Below, 504 58th St., home of the best rock and roll stage in Kenosha. We talk to her about growing up in Kenosha, opening the bar with her husband Dom (who passed in 2020), and how she is carrying on his legacy.   Follow their website for a full schedule of upcoming shows – most of them with NO COVER CHARGE!   In addition to the great live music...

On this special episode, we connect with Ron Purtee and JJ McAuliffe to talk about BLANKFEST 19 coming to McAuliffe’s Pub, 3700 Meacham Road in Racine for three days – Friday, December 12th – Sunday, December 14th. Admission is one new or gently used clean blanket which will be given out to local charities. Enjoy a weekend of great entertainment at this iconic Racine establishment while helping ou...

It’s time for another KENOSHA CONVERSATION as we reconnect with past guests Rob Greskoviak, owner of Villa D’Carlo , and Kevin Ervin, who owns Frank’s Diner with his wife Julie. Both Rob and Kevin have been longtime members of the Downtown Kenosha B.I.D., so of course we dive into all things Downtown Kenosha and its ever-changing landscape — but we also chat about so much more as we dig even deepe...

Shad DeLacy has led a life of experiences. Although many downtown shoppers may know him as the salesman/manager for many years at SJ Crystals, Shad has taken numerous paths – both within himself and around the world. Now that Lew Aceto of SJ Crystals has retired, this gave Shad the kick he needed to conquer his longtime dream of being his own business owner.   Shad is the new owner of a two-for-on...

Katie Gray grew up with the Rhode theater – quite literally, her father, Jeff Gray, was one of the early members of Lakeside Players! Today, she has been in every corner of the Rhode Center for the Arts and currently serves as President of the Lakeside Players. This drama group is located in the beautiful downtown Rhode theater and has a wonderful season in the works.   Heathers the Musical kicks...

Fifteen years ago, Rachel and Mike met while working at a little southside gastropub named Bull & Bear! Over the years, Bull & Bear began diving into on-site brewing and evolved into the Kenosha Brewing Company, and this dynamic duo have been serving up fantastic food, tasty beers, and top notch service ever since!  Stop in to Kenosha Brewing Company, Wednesdays through Sundays, for a grea...

Some people love him, some people love to hate him, some people just hate him. But we connect with former Alderman, and the creator of the local news website Kenosha County Eye, Kevin Mathewson.    From his young days of partying in Kenosha, to fighting the “old boys club” at City Council, and to his current day feuds, Kevin came to our studio proclaiming to be an “open book,” and he allowed us to...

Jackie Niccolai has lived a life of ups and downs, good choices and poor choices. After an abusive relationship, she felt that she became a target of a local news website and launched a heavy counterattack in the summer of 2024 which led to a now infamous feud.    But as time went by, Jackie realized that there were serious stories in our government that needed to be addressed and her blog, Kenosh...

Inspired by the print media of her youth, as well as her art mentors, Sarah Opatz created Kenozia this summer to celebrate local artists of many different mediums.   Find free copies of issue #1 of  Kenozia (while supplies last) at Anderson Arts Center, the Kenosha Public Library branches, the Kenosha Public Museum, East View Coffee, Cut Stone Pizza, The Lettering Machine, Public Brewing Co, and B...

You might not know it, but chances are you have already enjoyed some of the delicious fresh produce from Grow Space Vertical Farms, 3127 Roosevelt Road. For over the past two years, they have providing some of our local businesses with their produce! Today we connect with Robert Carlson, who is the co-founder & CEO of this new business.   Cultivate a healthier, greener life! Check out their we...