MILWAUKEE — During the Republican National Convention (RNC), there are big changes coming for those businesses located inside the security perimeter.
Michael Vitucci, owns Uncle Buck’s, which is just steps from Fiserv Forum, the main location of the convention. He said he will be closing to the general public during the RNC July 15-18.
“I’ll be perfectly honest, I’m pretty thrilled about being in the presence of this historical moment,” said Vitucci.
He confirmed Uncle Buck’s is completely booked with RNC contracts and estimated that the convention will bring in about 3,500 guests into his business.
“When you have three or four hundred people in your establishment, they’re going through all three floors, and you have to spread that out. You have a full staff on board,” Vitucci said. “You can’t really have people coming in from the streets because it’s not fair to your guests that are here, and it’s not fair for the customers that aren’t going to receive the type of business we work so hard to deliver at Uncle Buck’s.”
Vitucci said being strategic with bar and kitchen service is a key focus.
“We have a large capacity and a small kitchen, so we have to be very mindful about our production that comes out of our establishment,” he said.
Uncle Buck’s Executive Chef Matt Affholder said he prides himself on local ingredients, to support the state’s economy and to ensure quality and efficiency.
“The farther the food has to travel, the more the quality is going to suffer, so we try to get it from sources as close by as possible, and that makes the most delicious food,” Affholder said.
Affholder said his team is prepared for both in-house service and delivery orders during the convention.
“It’s going to be a combination of everything. It’s going to be a combination of timing, of food quality, and just everything has to come together, perfectly,” he said.
Vitucci is not just excited to showcase the restaurant. He said he hopes convention guests utilize the rooftop deck at Uncle Buck’s, as well as the multiple dance floors.
“Our out of state guests are very important to our city and we’ve got to deliver a great experience,” he said.