Jamaican restaurant Uppa Yard plans to expand

The owner of Jamaican restaurant Uppa Yard wants to renovate the much-larger buildings next door to expand his restaurant on the northwest side.

Oliver Edwards would move his restaurant to 4943-47 W. Fond du Lac Ave., just south of Capitol Drive, to offer more room for dining and to add a lounge. 

The current restaurant, which Edwards opened in 2014, is next door at 4925 W. Fond du Lac. The restaurant is counter service and has a small seating area; most of its current business is takeout.

The property, acquired by the city in a property tax foreclosure, is 5,600 square feet. The purchase price is $50,000, and the estimated cost to renovate it is $250,000 to $300,000, according to a land disposition report for the city.

The building also would supply space for Concoctions, a frozen-drink business that would operate the lounge. The business, which began in 2009 and sells its drink at festivals, makes both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. 

The expansion would mean Concoctions would grow from a one-person operation to five. Uppa Yard's owner plans to have 15 employees at the larger restaurant, up from 11.

Plans for the project go before the city's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee on Feb. 21.