Hannah Staple Takes Over Riverwest Cafe The Daily Bird

The veteran barista is rebranding the Milwaukee shop as Know Good and plans to open a second location soon.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Coffee

Gouache-painted illustration of a ceramic coffee dripper and kettle on a wooden counter, evoking a quiet neighborhood cafe atmosphere. — Hannah Staple has purchased Milwaukee's The Daily Bird cafe, planning to rebrand the East Center Street location as Know Good this year. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Hannah Staple has purchased The Daily Bird, a staple cafe located at 818 E. Center St. in Milwaukee. The shop will be rebranded as Know Good following a transition period.

Why it matters

The transition follows the departure of former owner Dan Zwart, who cited burnout as his primary reason for exiting the business after five years. Staple aims to maintain continuity for both staff and customers while expanding the local brand.

The cafe at 818 E. Center St. will undergo interior updates, including repainting, while maintaining its original menu. Plans are already in motion for a second location at 2008 N. Farwell.

The players

Hannah Staple

She is the new owner and operator of the coffee shop with over a decade of experience in the industry.

Dan Zwart

He is the former owner of The Daily Bird who operated the Milwaukee cafe for five years.

The details

All current staff members have been offered positions at the new establishment to ensure a smooth transition. Staple brings 12 years of industry experience to the role, having worked as a barista since 2015.

Hannah Staple has worked as a barista since 2015.
The Daily Bird holds a farewell event on October 31, 2026.
The cafe aims to reopen as Know Good in November 2026.

Culture Shift

The acquisition reflects a broader trend of internal succession within local hospitality, where seasoned baristas leverage their operational knowledge to preserve community hubs. This transition mirrors the evolution of independent cafes, where long-term owners rotate to ensure business longevity.

Regular customers can expect the same menu items as before, ensuring consistency for their daily coffee habits during the brand transition. Patrons may notice aesthetic changes as the shop repaints its interior during the closure period.

The takeaway

Supporting local ownership transfers helps maintain neighborhood stability and protects jobs for long-standing service staff. Regulars at the 818 E. Center St. location can expect a seamless continuity in product offerings once the new branding is unveiled.