C. 1880 to close, last service April 28

On March 19, C. 1880 chef owner Thomas Hauck announced on C. 1880’s website that the restaurant would close.

“It has been an unbelievable experience to own and operate this restaurant and serve the Milwaukee community for six years,” Hauck writes. “The patrons, the staff and relationship built have left an indelible mark on me that will last a lifetime.”

Hauck, a Milwaukee native, graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York before traveling to France to take his skills even further. He then returned to the U.S. and worked at Chef Michael Richard’s prestigious restaurant Citronelle in Washington D.C. After rising through the ranks after just a year of working there, he became Sous-Chef, working side by side with a nationally renowned chef Michel Richard. Huack moved back to Milwaukee in 2011 to open a restaurant of his own. The following year, he opened C. 1880.

In his farewell letter, Hauck states that the failure of the Karl Ratzsch venture and changes in the Milwaukee restaurant market caused doubt in his mind about the financial future of C. 1880.

“I must put my wife and children first in this decision, no matter how hard it is personally,” Hauck states.

Hauck notes that he wants patrons to have the opportunity to enjoy one last experience at C. 1880, hence the advance notice. Milwaukee has recently seen several restaurants suddenly close out of nowhere or within weeks of announcing their end, most recently including Wolf Peach and Supper.

“More importantly, we also want the opportunity to say goodbye to some of our loyal customers, who without our support, we would be nothing,” Hauck stated.

C. 1880 has seen many accolades and recognitions in its six years of operation, including three James Beard Foundation “Best Chef Midwest” semi-finalist nominations, high remarks in several of the Journal Sentinel’s annual “Top 30” restaurant lists, six consistent Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence and more.

“I want to say that the chef and restaurant community in Milwaukee is an unbelievable pool of determination and talent, I feel blessed to have been a part of it,” Hauck states. “C. 1880 is in honesty, a family, and I am thankful to all who currently are, or have been with us.

C. 1880 will hold its last service on April 28, 2018. C. 1880 is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.