Sudden Closure of That Place Trattoria Mukwonago: What Happened?

That Place Trattoria Mukwonago Closes Amidst Alleged Financial Issues

MUKWONAGO, Wis. — In a move that stunned regulars and staff alike, That Place Trattoria Mukwonago abruptly closed its doors this week. There was no public notice or official explanation for the closure. The sudden shutdown has left many customers frustrated — particularly those who recently purchased gift cards that now are worthless.

The Italian restaurant, located near the intersection of East Veteran’s Way and Fox Street in Mukwonago, appeared to be operating normally just days before the closure. Nevertheless, by May 1st, the building was locked, lights were off, and no signage indicated the fate of the establishment.

Sudden Shutdown Raises Eyebrows

While the closure came without warning, some locals say the writing had been on the wall for a while.

“I’m sorry to say this, but it wasn’t that good for the price,” said one Mukwonago resident. “WAY better than Boss’ but still not great. I do wish them well”. Boss’ Pizza and Chicken was a former restaurant at that location, before That Place opened in December 2023.

Many Mukwonago residents claim that the building That Place occupied is a tough location. One resident on Facebook said, “It was mediocre for the price”, adding “that building is haunted though. No restaurant will ever succeed in it. And it’s the building’s fault.”

On community forums, patrons repeatedly voiced frustration over the restaurant’s steep pricing, often saying the quality didn’t justify the cost. While the brunch crowd kept weekends fairly busy, many reported that dinner hours were slow — despite the restaurant holding a liquor license and boasting upscale branding.

That Place Trattoria Mukwonago Financial Struggles?

A person linked to the restaurant, who asked to stay anonymous, revealed some details. They allege financial instability had plagued the restaurant long before its doors closed.

“I highly doubt anyone is going to get paid back for gift cards,” the source told Waukesha County Watch. “He was having liquidity issues the entire time…Every person in the kitchen at some point got bounced checks or late checks, and most threatened to leave or did quit because of it.”

The source also described payroll inconsistencies and alleged that tipped employees were underpaid. According to the unnamed source, owner Arturo Napoles Carrera would “hold all card tips and pay them out every 2 weeks in checks and they would often complain the tips didn’t line up to the pay.”

The business reportedly purchased supplies directly from restaurant wholesalers due to unpaid vendor accounts and was often short on staff — with many kitchen workers brought in from outside the area through personal connections.

“Even with a liquor license, he just couldn’t get steady business,” the source added. “Most nights we had a small dinner rush and then it was dead.”

Financial struggles are seemingly corroborated by a lawsuit recently filed by the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The lawsuit names defendants That Place Restaurant LLC, NACAR LLC, and the owner, Arturo Napoles Carrera. The lawsuit, filed on April 30, 2025, doesn’t yet mention specific allegations. MEDC is apparently a business loan/lender, which would indicate possible loan or other financial issues.

That Place Trattoria Mukwonago Owner: Arturo Napoles Carrera

That Place Trattoria Mukwonago was operated by Arturo Napoles Carrera, a Milwaukee-based restaurateur with a long history in the Wisconsin food industry. Sources say Carrera worked in various kitchens across southeastern Wisconsin before launching the Mukwonago venture. According to one commenter on Facebook, this isn’t the first time Carrera has abruptly closed a restaurant. She says, “This same owner (Arturo Napoles Carrera) used to have a similar business in Milwaukee (Riverfront Pizzeria & Grill) in which he did the exact same thing, even though the business was thriving.”

Riverfront Pizzeria & Grill, located at 509 E. Erie St. in the Historic Milwaukee Third Ward, served its final customers on February 14, 2024, after nearly 20 years in business. The closure was announced via a sign on the door and a message on the restaurant’s website. Originally opened in 2006 by siblings Rich Loch and Brenda Regenfelder, the pizzeria was later sold in 2017 to longtime employee Carrera. Carrera operated it until its closure.

Carrera is now allegedly planning to be linked to a new restaurant in Eagle River, Wisconsin, a seasonal tourist destination known for its lakes and summer recreation. It is unclear what his specific role will be.

“The competition in Eagle River is intense. You need to excel against restaurants that are better, and the season is short. Good luck”, said another Facebook commenter.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Eagle River, Wisconsin has a population of just 1,628 residents. The median household income is $52,027, while the city reports a notably high unemployment rate of 46.9%. While Eagle River draws strong summer traffic, its off-season economy can be challenging for new restaurant ventures.

No Answers — and No Refunds

As of this publication, no formal statement has been released by Carrera or any representatives of That Place Trattoria Mukwonago. The restaurant’s website and social media channels remain active, but phone calls to the business go unanswered.

For now, customers holding unused gift cards — and former employees who may still be owed wages — are left in limbo. Despite growing concerns, there appear to be no plans from ownership to issue refunds for recent gift card purchases.

Details in this article were compiled from public records and statements from local residents. Waukesha County Watch has made multiple attempts to contact the owners of That Place Trattoria in Mukwonago, but as of publication, those inquiries remain unanswered.