When Julie Crnkovich’s family lived on the East Coast, they often took the train into Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood to enjoy the unique bistros, galleries and museums. When Crnkovich moved back to her hometown of Watertown, Wis., she recreated the neighborhood’s ambiance into the aptly named Tribeca GalleryCafé & Books, which she opened in 2007 in a historic building on Watertown’s Main Street. This past December, Crnkovich opened a second Tribeca location in Walker’s Point, 1318 S. First St.
A mural on the east wall of the new location depicts Crnkovich’s journey, with Tribeca neighborhood landmarks on the left, her Watertown café in the center and the Milwaukee cityscape towards the right. “It’s a way of linking communities, which is the foundation of my business—creating an atmosphere for the community to meet and live together in a harmonious kind of place,” she said.
The Walker’s Point location, with soothing blue tones and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in natural light, has the same coffee and bookshop premise as the Watertown location. Crnkovich said Tribeca’s Walker’s Point location has been well received since opening. She gets many customers from nearby Allen-Bradley and the UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences.
Tribeca’s menu leans fresh and healthy, with cold sandwiches, wraps and paninis. Meat lovers can have a turkey croissant or Reuben panini, and vegetarians can choose from options like the veggie wrap or balsamic spinach salad. New York-inspired touches include the cheese and pesto plate with New York flatbread. There are also breakfast pastries and egg sandwiches.
The waffle bar is held Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m., and for $6, people can get a house-made Belgian liege waffle, made with sweet dough accented with pearl sugar and topped with ice cream, Nutella, peanut butter, chocolate sauce or fruit.
Crnkovich makes many of the tea blends Tribeca offers, such as the light, refreshing citrus hibiscus iced tea. Smoothies include strawberry, orange berry or a green smoothie with seasonal ingredients; all are natural and free of artificial flavors. Tribeca serves Pilcrow Coffee, including their nitro cold brew. Tribeca’s coffee drinks include cappuccinos, mint mocha, caramel macchiato or the Central Park, named after New York City’s famed green space, with white chocolate, hazelnut and vanilla.
The rotating Literary Latte beverage ties in with Crnkovich’s partnership with the Next Door Foundation. As a former social worker and the daughter of teachers, she wanted to pair up with an organization that exemplifies the values of education and community. Crnkovich chooses a book and creates a beverage inspired by that literary work, and 30 cents from each sale of that beverage is donated to the Next Door Foundation. The Maurice Sendak classic Where the Wild Things Are inspired the current Literary Latte, “Wild Thang” mocha with habanero.
Tribeca carries books for children and adults, and Crnkovich has curated a small but growing book selection of new releases, classics, cookbooks and books on topics such as healthy living and mindfulness. She can order titles, and she plans to host book clubs, children’s story time and author events.
A small gift selection features works by local artists such as Thom Ertl, who works in contemporary urban assemblage. His pieces consist of found objects upcycled into creative wall pieces, cards and magnets. Tribeca also hosts live music.
“My book and gift sections will grow,” Crnkovich said. “I’m happy to be here in Walker’s Point, a neighborhood that’s growing and evolving.”
For more information, visit tribecagallerycafe.com.
