City of Sheboygan condemns Mi Ranchito; building deemed unsafe
A hearing will also held to determine if the bar's license will be revoked
SHEBOYGAN — Mi Ranchito on Sheboygan’s south side has been closed since early July and its future is uncertain given the city has condemned the building.
The city's Licensing, Hearings, and Public Safety Committee is expected to hold a Quasi-Judicial Hearing to determine whether Mi Ranchito’s Alcohol Beverage License will be suspended or revoked on Monday, August 25th at City Hall. The City Clerk’s Office confirmed on Thursday that the bar’s license is currently active despite the building being condemned by the City of Sheboygan.
Building Inspector Pat Eirich first observed one of the building’s walls was bowing. In his inspection notes, he stated the wall has the potential for failure. In March, a building permit was issued to Klunck Masonry to begin wall repairs. During another inspection last month, the building was found again in violation and the city deemed the structure unsafe. The inspector posted multiple condemnation notes on the doors on July 10th. Two hours later, the bar’s Facebook Page posted, “Ranchito will be under construction. We will be working really hard on getting it completed as soon as possible.” During a visit to the property Thursday afternoon, there has been no noticeable changes to the building.
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The bar, located at South 13th Street and Indiana Avenue, is operated by Elena Goya Cortez and the building is owned by Fernando Pena Mercado.
Mi Ranchito’s legal troubles began 2015 before it even received their liquor license. According to the Sheboygan Police Department, a private party was held where there was a large crowd and beer was being consumed without having an active license. According to Lt. Bill Adams, the matter was investigated and a warning was issued.
In June 2023, a Quasi-Judicial Hearing on Mi Ranchito was scheduled but the matter was settled before the hearing could take place. The bar voluntarily surrendered their Alcohol Beverage License for ten days that month. It was revealed that the bar was not cooperating with law enforcement and was found to have been open after hours.
11 days before the city’s Building Inspection condemned the building, the Sheboygan Police Department was called to a shooting at Mi Ranchito just before 1 AM on Monday, June 30th. When officers arrived, they found a 32-year-old Sheboygan man who sustained a single gunshot wound to the leg. The victim was transported by the Sheboygan Fire Department to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening injuries.
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