Ban on Bras Unhooked

For many, traditions are a source of camaraderie, a way to remember and commemorate events of the past. Holler House bar owner Marcy Skowronski said she and some of her friends started a tradition of their own by hanging bras on the ceiling 45 years ago, after they knocked back a few drinks. Now, a city inspector in Milwaukee has deemed that dozens of bras hanging from the historic bowling alley and bar's ceiling are a fire hazard.

"We've had bras hanging here for 45 years. It's been a charm of the place," said Skowronski, who is now 87-years-old.  "So here comes this gal, and she's walking in here like Lady Astor's pet horse, you know, and she says she wants those bras down because they're a fire hazard. Now how can a bra be a fire hazard unless someone is wearing it? Honest to God," she added.

At the bar's 100th anniversary five years ago, some of the older bras were replaced with newer ones, and, oftentimes, women sign and date the bras or leave notes on them. The great-grandmother, who has worked at the bar for 59 years, went to the city to appeal the ban,but missed the deadline. Out of fear of getting a fine, which, according to the official inspection order can run from $150 to $10,000 a day, the bras were unhooked.

Displeased with the ban on bras, Skowronski complied with the city inspector's demands and piled the bar's bra collection into a corner. But she also called her local alderman, Bob Donovan, who alerted the media and contacted the Department of Neighborhood Services.  The city agreed to overturn the bra ban, which means Skowronski will get to re-hang the bras that hundreds of women have left there over the years.

Besides the bras, the bar started by Skowronski's in-laws in 1908 is also known for its two downstairs bowling alleys, which are the oldest certified in America according to its sign.