Rupena’s Fine Foods – West Allis, WI (December 2025)

As part of my December adventures to Milwaukee, the city of my youth, my family did a Christmas Bakery Bus Tour –  Milwaukee Food Tours. This tour started out at Rupena’s Fine Foods in West Allis, Wisconsin. Rupena’s has been a fixture in Milwaukee since 1927, especially in the Croatian community, and was established by John S. Rupena at the age of 16 or 17, depending on the source. The shop has carried on through the family, weathering the personal and professional hardships that come along with a family business, but in 2025 they are still standing and delivering amazing food. My family was lucky enough to sample their apple strudel, freshly made, and it was delicious!

Rupena’s granddaughter, Maria Rupena, is the face of the shop now. During our tour she gave us a history of the family business and explained the importance of the Deli, Cold Foods, Hot Foods, and Cafe that line the back and side walls of the grocer. She expressed a deep passion for the family and community that the store provides. We briefly met her mother, Priscilla, who made the apple strudel that day, and we also learned about Maria’s son and how he influenced the creation of the Cafe in the store. The story of Maria’s son, Mitchell, is not mine to tell, but she has lovingly shared her family’s tragedy here, as well as in other places to remind everyone that there is always someone there willing to help a person in their time of need. 

But as I mentioned, this was the first stop on our tour. We knew bathrooms on a bus tour might be scarce. So after my daughter investigated the restroom situation, I figured we had the time to take a chance on being comfortable for at least the first leg of the trip. The back of the shop is a bit of a labyrinth, so my daughter escorted me back through the double doors and pointed out to go this way or that until finally I found these elusive restrooms. The bathroom itself was in the heart of the staff backroom area, complete with staff lockers. Being a customer, you knew you were in “forbidden” territory and I couldn’t help but feel like I was being naughty, despite being allowed back there.

On my way back to the main store, I stopped at an intersection and I didn’t know which way I was supposed to turn to get back to the shop proper. I stopped and tried to take stock of what was down the other hallways or what was through the door via a little window. While standing there, I felt something gently touch my shoulder. I turned to find nothing there, but I felt a presence with me. It was an older man, but he was not presenting as the age at which he had passed. He wanted to know why I was back here, because I wasn’t staff. It was done in a way that made me clearly understand he is just trying to take care of this place, not reprimanding me. It was a “good customer service” attitude, you might say. 

As I allowed the thoughts and images to float through my mind, I looked up and I immediately knew which direction I needed to go and quickly found myself back in the store. I was so eager to join my family that I forgot about the interaction until Maria started to share the history of the store and I knew it was her grandfather who had checked in on me in the back. The images that were shared with me became a bit clearer and I felt more of who he was. I also knew he was a protector and overseer, not a spirit stirring up trouble or trying to make demands of those who worked there. He still cherishes this place and is present to support his family who carries his legacy forward. It instilled in me a very heartwarming feeling, knowing he was there for them.

This was an unexpected meeting, but one that felt so appropriate for such a family-centric community. I highly recommend stopping at Rupena’s Fine Foods in West Allis if you are ever in the area. It is an absolutely lovely place with not only lovely food, but lovely people. I am sending my love for their family as they continue to persevere.

Note: Rupena’s is a business. This was a personal experience I had without intention of interacting with anyone or anything. Please do not seek out the owners regarding paranormal information out of respect for their family and their business.