Milwaukee can be a rumor mill, and recently, it's running at high speed, but OMC's working double-time to report the skinny and debunk the flabby fibs.

True: Oz Pies, 4170 N. Oakland Ave., is closed. OMC reported at the end of last summer that the business was for sale, but pie production completely stopped about a month ago, according to an employee at neighboring business Baskin-Robbins.

True: Passporte, 525 E. Menomonee St., never opened. Richard Kaiser, owner of Nanakusa, was not available to comment but a server at the Japanese eatery confirmed that it never served the public despite plans and building renovations.

False: The same server (who asked to be identified only by her first name, Julie) said Nanakusa, 408 E. Chicago St., is not closing despite back-fence talk that it was. She said that Kaiser will continue to be the owner of the Third Ward restaurant, contradicting rumors that he was looking to sell.

False: The Mosaic, 2624 N. Downer Ave., is closing. It did recently change owners, according to a musician who plays at the piano bar regularly, but it will not tune out for good.

True: Johnny Vassallo (Johnny V) is opening a new Asian restaurant in the old Zyng Asian Grill space, 811 N. Jefferson St.

False: Watermark, 1716 N. Arlington Pl., isn't closing, but somehow this rumor almost became larger than life. "We're going to be around forever, and I'm tired of hearing otherwise," said an annoyed employee.

False: Boutique Bebe, 2630 N. Downer Ave., is alive and well despite buzz that the business was weaned from the scene. However, Time to Kiln, down the street, is gone.

True: Sol Shoe Store, 1229 E. Brady St., is for sale. The hours are very limited for now, only Friday, Saturday and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

Know of any other rumors to dispel? Use the talkback feature to help set the record straight.