Camino Will Relocate to Walker's Point Fire Station

The popular Milwaukee restaurant plans to move into a larger space formerly occupied by Engine Company No. 3.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Isometric editorial illustration of a historic brick fire station facade, representing the restaurant's planned relocation in Milwaukee. — Milwaukee restaurant Camino plans to relocate to the historic Engine Company No. 3 fire station in Walker's Point, pending city council approval. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Camino will relocate its operations from 434 S. 2nd St. to a larger site at 217 W. National Ave. in Milwaukee. The move to the former fire station, which concluded restaurant service at the end of 2023, is expected to take place before winter.

Why it matters

The relocation allows the restaurant to significantly expand its footprint within the Walker's Point neighborhood. The new building provides additional interior room and a larger patio space for patrons.

The restaurant is moving to a 5,596-square-foot facility, a significant increase from its current 1,500-square-foot footprint. The new location is situated approximately 0.3 miles from the business's current site.

The players

Camino

A Milwaukee-based restaurant that has operated in the city since 2015.

Casey Rataczak

The owner of Camino who also established a second location in West Allis in 2020 and Caulfield's Wine Bar in 2024.

Milwaukee Common Council

The local legislative body responsible for granting final approval for the restaurant's relocation.

The details

Owner Casey Rataczak, who has managed the business since 2015, intends to move the establishment into the historic firehouse. The transition remains subject to final approval by the Milwaukee Common Council.

2014: Engine Company No. 3 opened at the National Avenue site.
2015: Camino originally opened on S. 2nd St.
End of 2023: Engine Company No. 3 ceased regular restaurant service.
Oct. 21, 2026: The business plans to host an anniversary celebration.
Before winter 2026: The restaurant aims to complete its move to the new location.

Market Landscape

The transition to the decommissioned Engine Company No. 3 firehouse reflects a broader trend of adaptive reuse in urban real estate. This move positions the restaurant to capture increased capacity while maintaining its presence within the competitive Walker's Point corridor.

Regular customers can expect a larger dining environment and improved patio access once the move is finalized. While the move is planned for before winter, patrons should monitor local announcements for the official opening date at the National Avenue site.

The takeaway

Expanding into historic municipal buildings allows local businesses to preserve neighborhood architecture while scaling operations. Restaurant owners seeking growth often leverage these specialized structures to differentiate their brand identity in a crowded market.