Brady Street's Italian character gets a shot in the arm in July when Mari Cucunato opens Mari's on Brady, a coffee shop, cafe and wine bar at 1229 E. Brady St.

The cafe, located in a storefront that has hosted Three Dog Bakery, Sol shoe store, In Vino Veritas, and most recently a Milwaukee office for Kinetic Real Estate, among other businesses, will serve Italian pastries and coffee in the morning, light sandwiches in the afternoon and wine and appetizers in the evening.

"I, of course, have been inspired by my Italian grandma, and will be specializing in her cookies," says Cucunato, who has co-run flower shops and restaurants in the area, including in South Milwaukee, Whitefish Bay and Downtown Milwaukee.

"The concept is fresh and fun, very complimentary to the diversity of Brady Street. Coffee, desserts, for the afternoon light antipasti , wine, all the things that we grew up with and love to enjoy."

Cucunato says Mari's will also carry specialty flowers and that the combination of food and "fiori" reflects her family's traditions.

"My grandparents were grocery store owners for over 70 years, and my parents florists."

Stay tuned for more on Mari's soon.