What started with frozen candy drinks topped with gummy worms and Nerds has grown into one of Milwaukee’s coziest spots to unwind. Missy Sweets Lounge, owned and operated by Milwaukee native Missy, began as a passion project and quickly turned into a community hub.
Missy first made a name for herself bartending at the old Gene’s Unicorn. When the opportunity came to purchase the business, she jumped at the chance. By October, Missy Sweets Lounge will celebrate three years in business—a milestone that hasn’t come without challenges.
In the first two months, an unfortunate theft forced Missy to rebuild her inventory and her momentum from scratch. “I had to recover my losses by working extremely hard to pick up the pieces,” she says.
Today, Missy Sweets Lounge is more than a neighborhood bar—it’s a place for connection. Missy prides herself on creating a safe, welcoming space for adults to relax, laugh, and enjoy good drinks with great company. Regulars aren’t just customers; they’re part of the “Missy Family.”
As a woman-owned, African-American-owned business, Missy acknowledges the hurdles in finding resources and funding, but she refuses to slow down. “I want to be one of the few African-American women who make it,” she says, giving credit to her mother, Nikki, who often jumps in to help behind the bar.
Her impact reaches beyond the lounge. By day, Missy is a full-time counselor at Messmer High School, where she’s passionate about helping first-generation students prepare for college. She runs an annual scholarship and supply drive, creating care packages filled with dorm essentials like towels, chargers, and laundry supplies. She also hosts Networking Sundays, offering free WiFi and mobile printing for students and professionals.
Missy sums it up best: “Milwaukee has a lot of growth opportunities—you just have to get out and go find things.” And at Missy Sweets Lounge, you’ll find not just a drink, but a community ready to welcome you in.