'Perfect date night': Elsa's regulars welcome restaurant reopening, two days after shooting shut it down

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- There was a line out the door Friday evening, Sept. 29, in front of Elsa's on the Park as customers dined for the first time since a shooting shut down the restaurant earlier in the week.

At least two shooters fired into the restaurant Wednesday, targeting a customer and injuring an employee.

On Friday, some said they felt it was important to keep their regular routine, while others went out of their way to be there.

With a longtime server recovering and shattered glass replaced, the diehard customers were happy to be back at the place that feels like home.

Jim and Pam Coleman have been dining at Elsa's for 23 years. They told us they have "Special memories, perfect date night, it's like a New York City lounge."

It was almost business as usual at Elsa's Friday night.

Roughly a dozen people milled about on the sidewalk, waiting for the doors to open.

Longtime Elsa’s Customer Jeff Bensman said, "The food and the vibe is great here."

It was a much happier scene than Wednesday night.

At least two shooters fired from the sidewalk into the restaurant, targeting a customer that was picking up food at the bar. A longtime server was injured in the crossfire.

Bensman said it was "Unnerving, extremely infrequent. And hoping it, of course, never happens again."

Willie Broadnax is a different kind of regular. Broadnax is unhoused, and often stays in a tent in Cathedral Square Park across the street.

For the past five years he's sat outside Elsa's because he says they "Fed me, put money in my pocket, the customers look out for me."

Broadnax wasn't there Wednesday night during the shooting because it was raining. But a regular customer found him later and said she was worried he may have been hurt.

Broadnax said customers and staff treat him with respect, even taking his order. "They be like, 'What do you want to eat today? Nachos?' They know my favorite is nachos or bacon cheeseburger."

And many people agree with his favorites.

Bensman said, "Best thing? Pretty much the only thing: burger."

Pam Coleman said, "Oh my gosh. The nachos, hands down." Jim said, "The broccoli, the drinks, the martinis, and the pork tenderloin salad."

Blue tape on new glass was the only reminder of Wednesday's shooting, allowing customers to enjoy the experience once again.

Pam Coleman said, "It doesn't deter our support of downtown Milwaukee."

Bensman said, "I want to show support for the establishment. I will be coming back again and again."

The Milwaukee Police Department is still looking for suspects.

Elsa's staff said they encourage customers to come by and not let this incident stop them from visiting the East Town neighborhood.