Give the gift of performance art this Christmas!
Perhaps a St. Nick stocking stuffer to one of the great Christmas shows coming up …
Or tickets to another show that is part of the PAC’s 10th anniversary Performing Arts Series … learn more here.
Happy to kick off another “12 Days of South Milwaukee Christmas” series — an annual look at some of our best local shopping options …
And I start with information on a couple big “shop local” events this Saturday.
First, there is the annual South Milwaukee Christmas Market, set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at South Milwaukee High School. It’s a full house once again, with more than 60 vendors selling terrific locally made gift items. Live music is also scheduled throughout the day.
Learn more on the market Facebook page.
I also want to call out a special event presented by the South Shore Chamber of Commerce. Check out the flyer above, and like their Facebook page for more.
And shop local!
Shop local this holiday season — and here is the list of options I’ve presented on this blog the last few weeks …
Merry Christmas!
Here’s a bonus day in the “12 Days” series …
If you’re looking for a last-minute gift for a child, be sure to stop at the I Can’t Resist Kids Resale store, now located at 915 Milwaukee Ave.
Learn more in my previous post about one of our newest merchants, and check out their website and Facebook page.
Shop local this holiday season!
And on the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … nothing. Instead, she gave back to the community.
So here’s a thought for a last-minute gift this holiday: Give to one of South Milwaukee’s terrific charities or organizations.
There are too many to list here, obviously, but I’ll give a few …
Or, give to help the family affected by the recent Cudahy fire. Or the Gawlitta family. Or donate some toys that the Brooks family will take to area homeless and domestic violence shelters on Christmas Eve.
In other words, there are plenty of ways to give this holiday season. Please consider doing so.
I work for MillerCoors, so I need to get a shoutout in for our local liquor stores this holiday season …
Here is a list …
(I took off Bully’s from last year’s list because it appears to be closed — at least that’s what the sign says on the door.)
And here are a few recommendations …
The Brooks house is a NASCAR house. Our favorite driver: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford.
That’s why we’re really lucky to live in South Milwaukee, home of perhaps the only NASCAR collectibles store in the area.
Didn’t know about Green Flag Racing? You should stop by. It’s located at 1218 Milwaukee Ave., and it has some terrific gear for race fans of all ages.
Diecast cars, clothing, signs and more — this is the kind of stuff you can’t get at other stores, making this just the kind of destination retail business we should focus on attracting to this city.
People drive to South Milwaukee just to go to Green Flag Racing. We need more of that.
I try and shop local whenever I can for Christmas … and sometimes that means a local chain.
My favorite? Ace Hardware. It truly is the “helpful hardware place,” with customer service that you simply can’t get at the big-box home improvement stores, Walmart, etc. And it’s convenient.
That’s why I’m willing to pay more to shop there. It’s worth it.
I was recently part of a panel discussion at the Milwaukee Forum about chain vs. local shopping. My argument: It’s not an “either-or” argument. It’s “both-and.” There is room for both chain and local retailers.
Ace is the best of both worlds.
Here is the Ace website. And here is my 2012 12 Days post on this.
Now, a closer look at my favorite local artisan shop: Studio One Art Glass.
Kim and company do a lot first-class custom work, so check them out if you’re interested in a new stained glass window, door or cabinet. They also have a terrific retail shop full of sun catchers, candle holders, clocks and other items at variety of price points.
The best part: It’s likely Kim made made those products right in the basement of the building.
Stop by and discover Studio One, if you haven’t already. It’s a real gem … and a great example of the type of destination retail business I’d love to see more of in South Milwaukee.
Here is their website, and here is my 2012 12 Days post on Studio One.
Continuing to shine the light on local businesses this holiday season …
Why not give the gift of food this Christmas?
Azteca, Nona’s, China Chef, Creative Catering — those are just a few of our great local restaurants that are worth a trip, perhaps for a gift certificate or a holiday dinner.
My 2012 post has more details, keeping in mind that I can’t list every restaurant in town … just a few of my favorites.
What’s your favorite? Post your comments below!
Halfway through the local Christmas shopping list, and I’m checking it twice …
This time, it’s a shoutout for our terrific local children’s book author, Janet Halfmann.
We’re the happy owner of several of her books, and I highly recommend many of her titles.
Learn more on her website. And here is my 2012 12 Days post. Janet also has a Facebook page.
Update: Don’t forget Anytime Fitness, too. There is information in the comments section of this post.
Why not give the gift of good health this holiday season?
My 2012 12 Days post talks about some of the local options, including Sorce Martial Arts, Anchor Fitness and Dowling Community Acupuncture. I’ll add a few more to that list …
In other words, there are lots of local choices for those focused on wellness in 2014. Take advantage of them.
Today, some love for our local jeweler …
You have a lot of choices on where to buy your jewelry, and I encourage you to shop local this holiday season and pay a visit to Donn Powers Jeweler, 2110 10th Ave.
You get a nice selection, along with terrific customer service — in fact, chances are you’ll run into Don if you stop in. And they service what they sell, which is something you just can’t at get most competitors.
Check out their website here. And here is my 2012 12 Days post on Donn Powers.
I’ve written a lot about the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, and for good reason — it’s a unique selling point for our city, an amenity that many communities our size can not boast.
And there are some great shows (Christmas gift opportunities) coming up, including the “Calmus: Christmas a Cappella” on Wednesday, Dec. 12, and a show by the Milwaukee Ballet II on Jan. 25.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
And check out my 2012 12 Days post on the PAC here.
Day three of “12 Days” brings us to one of the anchor businesses of downtown South Milwaukee … Parkway Floral.
Why not give the gift of flowers this Christmas? Or maybe pick up that perfect poinsettia.
We’re lucky to have such a first-class florist in town. Please support them this holiday season — and all year long.
Learn more in my previous post.
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