Next up in “12 Days,” an 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.
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!
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 …
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 close the “12 Days” series with a focus on area eateries, and there are plenty of terrific options to write about.
Here are a few of my favorites, in case you’re looking to give the gift of great food this holiday season …
I also want to give a shoutout to PJ.’s Variety Store & Deli, 921 Milwaukee Ave. This is a really unique store with everything from farm-fresh eggs to Yu-Gi-Oh! cards to crafts. Tony also has baked ham and rolls on Sundays, cheesburgers and other items. And be sure to check out his “old school” candy selection. Variety store, indeed.
Filed under 12 Days of South Milwaukee Christmas, Local Business
Tired of chasing the newest toy for your kids each Christmas?
Here’s an idea: Give a “powerful and effective path toward personal growth and development.” Give the gift of martial arts.
We’re lucky to have an outstanding school — one for both adults and kids — right here in South Milwaukee: Sorce Martial Arts.
Check out their website. From it:
Sorce Martial Arts was established to make a positive and lasting impact in our community by teaching personal development through martial arts. We believe that training in the martial arts is a powerful and effective path toward personal growth and development. We believe that martial arts instruction should be personal. Finding a school that is a good fit for you is important because a great instructor will help you to benefit more from martial arts than you ever imagined.
I’ve seen this benefit first-hand. My cousin is a longtime Sorce student — and now instructor — and he is one of the most mature 16-year-olds I have ever met (including me). There are countless others like him that have gone through Peter Sorce’s classes.
Sorce is located at 926 Milwaukee Ave. There are two other businesses down the block that also need a shoutut here.
Anchor Fitness is next door at 924 Milwaukee Ave., and Dowling Community Accupuncture is at 911 Milwaukee Ave. If you’re looking to get or stay fit, these are two places to visit. Maybe I should pay them a visit 🙂
Filed under 12 Days of South Milwaukee Christmas, Local Business
Updated: Added a couple stores I missed.
I work for MillerCoors, so my friends, neighbors and relatives know very well that beer makes a wonderful Christmas gift.
(I suppose wine and spirits do, too, but you didn’t hear that from me :))
There are lots of local options to buy alcohol, but I’ll give a shoutout to six local liquor stores …
And here’s a few holiday suggestions, with a nod to MillerCoors …
Merry Christmas … cheers!
Filed under 12 Days of South Milwaukee Christmas, Local Business
I love the fact that my kids love books … and I love the fact that we have a renowned children’s book author in South Milwaukee.
She’s Janet Halfmann, and her books are wonderful.
Janet has written dozens of them, and we’re the proud owner of several. Her most recent books …
Learn more about Janet and her books — including the titles of a couple upcoming titles and details on getting free bookplates for the holidays — on her well-done website.
One thing you’ll notice when you visit: the strongly positive reviews her books regularly receive.
Count me and the Brooks kids as fans too.
You can buy Janet’s books on Amazon.com and local independent booksellers.
Filed under 12 Days of South Milwaukee Christmas
Time for a shoutout to my favorite local florist, Parkway Floral.
Bryan Lorentzen and team do a great job, whether it’s roses for the missus or an arrangement for my wife’s grandmother’s recent funeral, these guys are first class, and reasonably priced.
For the holidays, they have some beautiful arrangements on their website and other special items in store.
You have lots of options to buy flowers these days, from Pick ‘n Save to the local gas station. Join me in shopping one of our treasured local independent retailers — one of our downtown anchor businesses — instead.
Parkway Floral
Filed under 12 Days of South Milwaukee Christmas, Local Business
In the market for jewelry this Christmas? You have lots of choices.
I encourage you to choose local.
From diamonds to colored stones, watches to chains, charm bracelets to decorative handbags, Donn Powers Jeweler is a full-service jeweler, and more. He’s also a master watchmaker, and he does repairs on-premise.
And by “he,” I do mean “he.” One thing I love about Donn Powers — unlike the mall big guys and others — is that there’s a good chance you’ll find Donn at the store greeting customers or working behind the scenes, if he’s not in Belgium picking out diamonds, that is.
This downtown anchor business says it best on their website …
This is where dreams become reality. Here at Donn Powers Jeweler, we have been making dreams come true for over 30 years and we pride ourselves on knowledge and customer service.
If you are in need of a repair, or would like something custom designed, you have come to the right place. We work with you to make sure you receive exactly what you want. You are the architect, we are the contractor.
Trust this contractor to deliver a great experience.
Donn Powers Jeweler
Filed under 12 Days of South Milwaukee Christmas, Local Business
Shopping local is about more than shopping at independent retailers. Chains can be part of your holiday plans, too.
In South Milwaukee, my favorite is Ace Hardware. “The helpful place” is always just that — helpful, and I find their prices reasonable.
Could I save a few bucks by going to one of the big guys on 27th Street? Occasionally. Can I get a better selection? Perhaps on some items. But when you factor in convenience and the friendliness and expertise of the people working the floor — someone is always there to help you through a project, often an owner — Ace is more often than not a huge bargain.
The Brooks family also shops from time to time at Pick ‘n Save, Aldi, Walgreens, Dollar General and others, not to mention any number of chains in Oak Creek, and they are all fine stores. But Ace is my favorite.
Ace Hardware
Filed under 12 Days of South Milwaukee Christmas, Local Business
Some swear by Jimmie Johnson. Others love Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch or Denny Hamlin. Tony Stewart has his share of fans.
We’re a Brad Keselowski house.
As an employee at MillerCoors, I guess I better root for Brad, and our family sure does. My 8-year-old is his biggest fan, which makes Brad’s 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup championship — clinched earlier this month — so sweet.
I say this because there is a unique business in South Milwaukee that allows us to celebrate our love of NASCAR (and Brad) every day. It’s Green Flag Racing, and it’s a really cool NASCAR collectibles store at 1218 Milwaukee Ave. downtown.
Diecast cars, clothing, signage and more … the store has everything for the NASCAR fan, no matter who you root for.
Then, when you’re done at Green Flag Racing, walk a few blocks and stop at Hometown Sports Cards, 916 Milwaukee Ave. I stopped by this new store recently and was impressed with its selection of sports cards and other collectibles. It’s worth a visit if you have a sports fan on your list.
Green Flag Racing
Hometown Sports Cards
Filed under 12 Days of South Milwaukee Christmas, Local Business
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