Aladdin Middle Eastern restaurant, 202 W. Wisconsin Ave., is closed, but owner Azmi Aladdin has a variety of ventures in the works. He is currently selling hot and cold to-go food items, deli items and groceries inside the Milwaukee Public Market, 219 N. Milwaukee St.

He also purchased a building on 13th and Layton Avenue. The new building houses his catering and special events business, but Aladdin says he may open a restaurant in the space in the future.

"There's ample parking there, so it would work well as a restaurant," he says.

Aladdin has owned and operated restaurants since 1996. He is comfortable with his current situation inside the Public Market because he is able to offer most of the items from past menus, as well as a line of groceries. Plus, he says the location is better for him and his customers.

"The Public Market is better fit for us, and luckily, my clients think so, too. They have followed me here," he says.