Milwaukee's Alterra Coffee is a well-known chain of nine shops and coffee kiosks scattered throughout the city. Started in 1993 by brothers Ward Fowler and Lincoln Fowler, and friend Paul Miller, Alterra grew out of simple digs the Fifth Ward to become a symbol of Milwaukee entrepreneurialism.
While a few Alterra's cafes are located in historic buildings, all retain the charm of old-world-Milwaukee, with exposed beams, wide-open spaces and a lot of wood and brick. The two that do subsist in repurposed buildings are located in an old pumping station (Alterra at the Lake) and in an old Foundry (Alterra Foundry).
Alterra Coffee has long been a progenitor of the Fair Trade movement, supports green building initiatives, and has formed vital partnerships with many local arts and environmental groups.
Alterra Coffee Locations
Alterra Bayshore Town Center
Where: 5735 N. Bayshore Dr., in the Bayshore Town Center
Contact: 414.967.5754
Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday
Alterra Foundry
Where: 170 S. 1st St.
Contact: 414.765.9873
Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday
Alterra Grafton
Where: 1211 Washington St., Grafton
Contact: 262.377.5183
Hours: 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Saturday, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday
Alterra Humboldt
Where: 2999 N. Humboldt Blvd.
Contact: 414.292.3320
Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday
Alterra at the Lake
Where: 1701 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.
Contact: 414.223.4551
Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday
Alterra Mayfair Mall
Where: 2500 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa
Contact: 414.453.9202
Hours: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday
Alterra Prospect Avenue
Where: 2211 N. Prospect Ave.
Contact: 414.273.3753
Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 6:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday
Alterra U.S. Bank
Where: 777 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Contact: 414.225.8970
Hours: 6 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. Monday - Friday
Alterra Wauwatosa
Where: 9125 W. North Ave, Suite 101, Wauwatosa
Contact: 414.259.7948
Hours: 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
