The Avenue

Halloween-Themed Food and Drink Events in Milwaukee

Savor, sip and scream at more than 25 Milwaukee destinations, including a fake Applebee's and two TV show pop ups.

Fonzie-Themed Italian Deli Opening at 3rd Street Market Hall

Happy Days are here again.

Where to Celebrate Dia de los Muertos in Milwaukee

Also known as Day of the Dead, a wide range of events offer many ways to recognize the holiday.

Details Announced for Wild Card Games 1 and 2 on Tuesday and Wednesday

Brewers, Mets Begin National League Wild Card Series Tomorrow at American Family Field

Guide to Milwaukee Oktoberfest 2024

From beer releases to full-scale festivals, there's many ways and places to celebrate.

Enerpac Move Downtown Includes Controversial, Large Riverfront Balcony

But preservation advocates have concerns about where the deck is being installed.

Yummy Bowl Exits 3rd Street Market Hall

Comfort food restaurant's final day of service was Friday, July 26.

MKE Night Market is back on Wednesday, July 24

Milwaukee Night Market, presented by Clover® from Fiserv, is back for night two on Wednesday, July 24

Milwaukee Night Market, presented by Clover® from Fiserv, kicks off season on Wednesday, June 26

Milwaukee Night Market returns for four nights this summer, celebrating its 10th season

Pizza Shuttle Opening Downtown Slice Shop, Food Cart

East-side business adding second location at 3rd Street Market with more diversified menu.

Vendor lineup announced for the 2024 Milwaukee Night Market, presented by Clover® from Fiserv

Milwaukee Night Market returns for four nights this summer, opening the season on June 26

Another Vendor Exits 3rd Street Market

Paper Plane Pizza announces departure from downtown food hall. Chicago location still going.

Two Vendors Exit 3rd Street Market Hall

Make Waves and Greenhouse quietly closed this month after two years in operation.

City Will Redesign King Drive, Pere Marquette Park

And build a protected bike lane on W. Highland Avenue.

Street closures for 56th Shamrock Club of Wisconsin St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 9

Downtown businesses, property owners and residents should be prepared for the following street closures

56th Shamrock Club of Wisconsin St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns Saturday, March 9

Celebration of Milwaukee’s rich, Irish heritage expected to bring thousands of spectators to downtown Milwaukee

New Corporate Headquarters, 130 Jobs For Downtown

Enerpac Tool HQ moving to Milwaukee. Plus: A recap of week's real estate news.

Milwaukee Night Market, presented by Clover from Fiserv, returns on June 26 for 2024 season

Vendor applications now open for 2024 season

3rd Street Market Hall Unveils New Event Space

Venue 3 will open in time for NYE, with all-out party planned for the grand reveal.

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival begins Nov. 16 with kickoff extravaganza

Kickoff ceremony to feature fireworks, Santa, and performances from local entertainers

Milwaukee Downtown introduces new Holiday Lights Festival attraction: Ornament Trail

15 larger-than-life, hand-painted ornaments will be displayed along Wisconsin Avenue and Water Street.

Details Announced for Wild Card Games 1 and 2 on Tuesday and Wednesday (6:08 p.m. Starts)

Brewers, Diamondbacks Begin National League Wild Card Series Tomorrow at American Family Field

Milwaukee Night Market, presented by Clover® from Fiserv, is back on July 19

Sculpture Milwaukee Returns For 7th Year

Featuring 7 artists from across the globe, 39 works, and a meditation on Michael Jackson.

Vendor lineup announced for the 2023 Milwaukee Night Market presented by Clover® from Fiserv

American Family Insurance supports 5 BIPOC vendors; first Night Market of the 2023 season on June 14

City Seeks Restaurant or Cafe For Downtown Park

Its plan for Vel R. Phillips Plaza is to create new gathering spot for Westown.

Sculpture Milwaukee Adding Spring Exhibit Inside The Avenue

Exhibit by area colleges in downtown complex will complement main sculpture event.

Gallery Night MKE Celebrates Creativity — at 50+ locations — April 21 & 22

New Design For Vel R. Phillips Plaza Revealed

Redevelopment Authority endorses $16.5 million financing plan.

City Has $16 Million Plan For Downtown Plaza

Vel R. Phillips Plaza would honor civil rights pioneer, anchor W. Wisconsin Ave. Will it serve streetcar?

Mayor Cavalier Johnson Announces Funding Proposal for Vel R. Phillips Plaza in Westown

More than $15 million in proposed tax incremental financing dollars would convert a portion of a long-underutilized parcel into a public space named in honor of the iconic Milwaukee political activist and civil rights leader featuring both civic and transit amenities

55th Shamrock Club of Wisconsin St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns Saturday, March 11

Festivities begin with the ShamROCK Kick-off Party on March 10

Westown Association names Fiserv as presenting sponsor of the Milwaukee Night Market

The summer event will showcase the Clover small business system from Fiserv and will kick off on Wednesday, June 14; vendor applications now open for 2023 season

Council Approves Fiserv’s Suburb-to-City Move

Global company will fill former Boston Store, be joined by new downtown Kohl's.

Fiserv’s Move Downtown Is About Attracting ‘Young, Diverse’ Workers

Council committee endorses complicated subsidy for Brookfield company's relocation.

State Grants Help 7,200 Businesses

Evers used federal pandemic aid to give $72 million in $10,000 grants to small businesses, with more to come.

Complicated Fiserv Subsidy Earns First Approval

Complicated deal includes $7 million for financial company, $4.6 million for neighborhood improvements.

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival kicks off Nov. 17 with magical lineup

Kickoff ceremony to feature holiday acts, fireworks and Santa at Pere Marquette Park

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival to dazzle downtown visitors, Nov. 17 – Jan. 1

Seven-week festival to ring in holiday season with festive lights and jubilant happenings

Kohl’s Downtown Store Is Test of Smaller Format

CEO promises data-driven approach to deliver everything customers love about Kohl's.

City Seeking Grant For Streetcar Convention Center Extension

$33 million project could receive boost with $25 million in federal funds.

Kohl’s Planning Downtown Store

Department store would be located on first floor of old Boston Store space.

3rd St. Market Hall Selected As Field Immersion Project Partner For Harvard Business School

2022 Mayor’s Design Awards Announced

25 projects cover entire city, range from big to small.

Anytime Arepa Opens at 3rd St. Market Hall

Milwaukee’s market hall welcomes the authentic Venezuelan restaurant to their lineup

Kawa Ramen & Sushi Opens At 3rd St. Market Hall

Downtown’s market hall adds authentic Japanese cuisine to its unparalleled vendor lineup

The Avenue Lands Another Tenant

Plus: Strauss Brands bails on another city. And a recap of the week's real estate news.

A Familiar Face Returns to 3rd St. Market Hall

An iconic piece of Milwaukee history found his way back home

Former Milwaukee Brewers All-Star Catcher to Invest in 3rd Street Market Hall

Professional athletes continue to be added to the Downtown food hall’s list of investors

New Murals Coming To Skywalk System

Murals will bookend Plankinton Arcade building in heavily-traveled corridor.

Public art elevated to a new level – two skywalk murals on the docket in downtown Milwaukee

Valentine’s Day Cream Puffs Return

Plus: downtown food hall opens, a new Walker's Point restaurant-bar and an immigrant-run Polish market.

3rd Street Market Hall Opens

Long awaited food hall opens with a handful of vendors.

3rd Street Market Hall Opening Friday

Long-awaited opening will take place Jan. 14.

Strange Town Bottle Shop To Open Natural Wine Stall At 3rd Street Market Hall

Downtown’s innovative market hall continues to add unique, local vendors to its lineup

Iconic Bear on a Tightrope Returning Home to The Avenue

Key destinations partner to move former Grand Ave Mall “Professor Stein” to the revitalized Avenue Development

The Downtown Musical Chairs Game

More moves from one building to another. Plus: the week's nine real estate stories.

Christian Yelich and Randall Cobb Invest in 3rd Street Market Hall

Downtown’s catalytic food hall continues to attract backing of committed investors

3rd Street Market Hall Opening Delayed

Plus: Semolina pasta opening in Bay View and Southside Dining Week.

MIAD Opening Gallery on Wisconsin Avenue

New space will be on first floor of The Avenue, adjacent to 3rd Street Market Hall

Playbill Lofts Will Rise Above The Avenue

Former Majestic Lofts apartment building being redeveloped by owners of The Avenue.

3rd Street Market Hall Opening in October

Owners of new food hall trying to create a destination experience.

Herzing Returns To Downtown

University is latest tenant at former Grand Avenue Mall, now thriving as office and housing complex.

Herzing University Moving National Headquarters to Milwaukee’s “The Avenue”

Nonprofit career-focused school returns to founding city; continues business momentum to Westown

GRAEF Returns to Downtown Office

The engineering firm had just moved into its newly renovated office when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Milwaukee.

The Avenue Lands New Tenant

TEMPO will occupy office on second floor of former Grand Avenue Mall.

Return of the Brown Bottle

Plus!: New Riverwest and East Side taverns, Layton Ave. sports bar, Third Ward coffee-wine bar and two new Downtown coffeehouses.

State Fair Announces 70 Food Offerings

Plus: new Venezuelan food place at downtown food hall. And new cafe for South Milwaukee.

620 WTMJ, ESPN Radio and The Truth Moving Downtown

After 80 years on Capitol Dr., city's venerable radio operation moving to The Avenue.

Downer Avenue Gets New Breakfast Place

Plus: A new BBQ joint on MLK, Honeypie reopens at new location and more hamburgers, custard, brunches.

Anchor Restaurant Announced For 3rd Street Market Hall

Presenting Dairyland Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard and Hamburgers.

22 More Apartments for Plankinton Arcade

With another 50 in the pipeline as Grand Avenue Mall continues move toward more residential spaces.

Key Players Back Renaming Old World Third to MLK Drive

Westown Association, Mayor, all 15 council members back proposal. But there are complications.

Council Proposing To Rename Old World Third Street To MLK Drive

Extending Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. would correct an "injustice."

See All of Downtown Milwaukee’s New Murals

From otters to activists, Milwaukee is awash in new public art.

Strauss Closes Door on Milwaukee Move

Plus: An abandoned basement discovered in former Grand Avenue Mall.

The Quiet Plan to Save Grand Avenue

Actually written 10 years ago. Civic leaders discuss how public private partnerships revived Downtown.

Empty Storefronts Event Offers Solutions

And inspiration. 5th annual conference explores how to revive commercial corridors.

Will WTMJ Move to The Avenue?

Good Karma Brands might consolidate its radio stations in the former Grand Avenue Mall.

A Grand Update on The Avenue

Plus: downtown streetscaping improvements and lots of historic preservation news.

Meet the Deer District

Bucks developing area around Fiserv Forum, and The Avenue gets a new $3 million entrance.

The Couture Gets Financing Extension

State office building slated for near west side, Grand Ave might get $9 million.

Brew City MKE to Close March 3rd

Beer museum may come back in another location.

Meet Grand Avenue’s New Food Hall

Local restaurants will replace fast food chains, goal is to be one of top food halls in U.S.

Grand Avenue Mall Lands Anchor Tenant

$90 million mall redevelopment attracts engineering firm GRAEF, to lease 35,000 square feet.

A Bar That’s Also a Museum

Brew City MKE in Grand Avenue Mall serves only Milwaukee beers -- and brewing history.

New Grand Avenue Apartments

Plankinton Arcade becoming apartments is significant step in mall's transformation.

Statement Regarding Downtown Gentlemen’s Club

We have discussed this request with our property owners and tenants and cannot in good conscience recommend a Downtown location that would not be subject to adverse secondary effects.

Jake’s Deli & the Westown Association 5th Annual Corned Beef Eating Contest

Scheduled for Friday, March 10th at 12:30pm in conjunction with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Press Conference

Irish Festivities at The Shops of Grand Avenue leading up to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 11th

Milwaukee’s parade is the sixth oldest in the nation.

St. Patrick’s Parade Returns to Downtown Milwaukee on Saturday, March 11th

Week of Irish Entertainment Planned

Bublr Bikes Breaks Winter Riding Records Thanks to Weekend Record Temps

Bublr’s Familiar Blue Bikes Part of Milwaukee’s "February Spring Weekend” Landscape

Bublr Bikes Names Veteran Non-Profit Leader Sally Sheperdson as New Executive Director

Operations Director James Davies Promoted to Senior Director of Operations and Planning

Bublr Bikes Moving HQ, Maintenance Operation Into Shops of Grand Avenue

Move Kicks Off Grand Avenue Revitalization, Places Bublr at Center of Regional Network

Downtown Milwaukee’s holiday lights go bright November 17

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off to feature switch-flipping ceremony, music and fireworks

How To Fill Those Empty Storefronts

NEWaukee Hosts 2nd Empty Storefronts Conference in Madison and the ideas flow.

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival to brighten downtown visits

Six-week festival to bundle lighting displays and holiday happenings, Nov. 17 – Jan. 1

First 2016 NEWaukee Night Market on Wednesday

Popular series returns to W. Wisconsin Ave. on June 15th

Inside the MKE Lofts

Historic downtown building transformed from vacant offices to 105 stunning apartments

Norquist to Speak at Jane Jacobs Event

May 10th event will explore ideas of urban visionary and her impact on cities like Milwaukee.

What’s Next for the Grand Avenue Mall?

"We're going to have to stop calling it a mall," Jeramey Jannene tells WTMJ.

Meet the New Grand Avenue

From dead mall to vibrant city center, see the plan for Grand Avenue Mall

Jake’s Deli & the Westown Association 4th Annual Corned Beef Eating Contest

Scheduled for Friday, March 11th at 12:30pm in conjunction with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Press Conference

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Returns to Downtown Milwaukee Saturday, March 12th

Week of Irish Entertainment Planned

Inside The Buckler Apartments

11 stories, 207 units and countless styles, shapes and price points for apartments.

13 Ways to Revive Grand Avenue

Experts offer ideas to transform downtown’s long-struggling mall

Spencerian Business College, Late 1860s

Located in the four-story Library Block, one of the city's tallest structures.

Great News for Grand Avenue Mall

A smart new team of local owners is poised to revive the mall and W. Wisconsin Ave.

Exclusive: Grand Avenue sold to local buyer group for $24.5M; new owner to save retail, add new uses

San Diego buyer acquires another downtown Milwaukee property

Downtown Milwaukee ignites its holiday cheer on November 19

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off to feature switch-flipping ceremony, music and fireworks

West Wisconsin Avenue office building scheduled for December sale in online auction

3rd Annual Westown Holiday Bazaar to take place Saturday, November 21st at The Shops of Grand Avenue

The Shops of Grand Avenue will be filled with holiday cheer as the 3rd Annual Westown Holiday Bazaar takes place

Downtown Milwaukee ignites its holiday cheer on November 19

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off to feature switch-flipping ceremony, music and fireworks

Disagreement on closing street could affect Bucks arena plan

What the CEO of Boston Store’s parent said about the future of its HQ in downtown Milwaukee

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival to illuminate downtown Milwaukee

Six-week festival to bundle lighting displays and holiday happenings, Nov. 19 – Dec. 27

Bucks Arena Winners and Losers

We count 33 winners, from strip clubs to Scott Walker to the streetcar, and 12 losers, including Frank Gimbel, the Brewers and Seattle.

Downtown employees to enjoy week of summertime perks

Milwaukee Downtown to host Downtown Employee Appreciation Week July 27 – July 31

Milwaukee Trolley Loop adds vehicle and extends hours for July 3rd service

Downtown service to assist in alleviating congestion during Summerfest and U.S. Bank Fireworks

Milbourne to Milwaukee: Build arena to save Bucks, tear down Grand Avenue

Downtown’s summer trolley bells will toll again beginning June 4

The service will run Thursdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., June 4 through Sept. 5.

Developer follows downtown growth west

How to Fill Those Empty Storefronts

Inaugural event will bring national leaders to Milwaukee to discuss long-term solutions for commercial corridors with empty storefronts.

St. Patrick’s parade is Saturday, March 14; event dates to 1843

The 140 units in the Irish celebration step off at noon on Wisconsin Ave. at Old World Third Street

10 Reasons To Build Bucks Arena on Wisconsin Ave.

Building the new arena where Boston Store is located could have huge advantages for the team and the city.

Downtown trolleys begin summer loop Thursday

Milwaukee Trolley Loop – Thursdays through Saturdays, June 5 – September 6, 2014

Downtown’s summer trolleys to ring again June 5

Downtown Milwaukee’s trolley service, the Milwaukee Trolley Loop presented by VISIT Milwaukee, will roll out Thursday, June 5.

We Hate This Boston Store Subsidy!

Common Council members all complain about the TIF for Boston Store, then pass it 11-3.

Mayor Tom Barrett’s 2014 State of the City Address

Milwaukee February 24, 2014 As Prepared for Delivery

Can City Save Boston Store?

City subsidy will keep declining store open, but leaves controversial questions about its downtown strategy.

TRUE Skool Moves Downtown

After-school art program for teens times grand opening at Grand Avenue Mall for Friday's Gallery Night.

Goodbye to Historic Milwaukee

Opgenorth leaves HMI for job with Mandel, but still hopes to help build support for historic buildings.

Greater Milwaukee Committee to Move to Water Accelerator

All the news on the GMC's new home, as well as odds and ends around the East Side and beyond (plus a bicycle tour).

Can Wisconsin Avenue Be Saved?

A city task force hopes to revive the street but the obstacles are many.

Downtown trolleys start engines tomorrow

Milwaukee Trolley Loop to operate Thursdays through Saturdays, May 23 – August 31, 2013

Local Artist’s Gift to Obama Gets Complicated

Tim Meyerring's present to the president gets caught up in the law on gifts and consultations with the White House assessor.

Name MPS School After Anti-Nazi Hero?

A push to honor Milwaukeean Mildred Fish Harnack, the only American women resistance member executed by Hitler.

Downtown Milwaukee: “Old World Charm, New World Class”

A Plan to Revitalize and Grow Milwaukee’s Downtown: Minus the Downtown Streetcar

Don’t Wreck Sidney Hih

The troubled history of municipal land clearance and why it’s a very bad idea to demolish Sidney Hih.

Grand Theatre ticket booth transformed to meet needs of visitors and newcomers

Downtown Milwaukee is finding creative ways to revitalize Wisconsin Ave.

Gardens for Grand Avenue Mall?

Could indoor gardens be in store for The Shops of Grand Avenue future? It could happen if the mall follows in the steps of a similar mall in downtown Cleveland, the Galleria at Erieview.

More Thoughts on Grand Avenue

Milwaukee Talkie, the blog of the Public Policy Forum, examined the urban retail market and how to best utilize the hiring of Deanna Inniss as a business recruiter by BID #21, Milwaukee's Downtown Business Improvement District. They noted that one large thing wasn't on her task list, the inside of Grand Avenue Mall.

Grand Avenue Mall Follow-Up – Free Rent

In March, I explored the idea of rebuilding Grand Avenue Mall into a self-sustaining retail center. One of the things that I didn't expect to be on the table was simply giving away a retail stall for free. Grand Avenue Mall appears set to do just that now with a business plan competition.

Grand Avenue Mall – A New Implementation

As the retail market struggles nationally and the Shops of Grand Avenue struggles locally, it's time to ask what retail should be in downtown Milwaukee in the next five years. Is it worth investing public dollars in the form of a TIF in Grand Avenue or other mall-like projects downtown, as has been done in the past? Or should the standard be that all retail must interact with the street?

It’s Official, Fonz Funding Complete

Milwaukee is the talk of the internet today, as the major news outlets announce the Fonz statue to the world.  Visit Milwaukee has officially raised the $85,000 needed to build the statue. I’ve been in support of the statue since I first learned of it because it encourages visitors (who come to Milwaukee for completely unrelated reasons) to stay downtown, walk downtown, and spend their money downtown. One more thing for Milwaukee visitors to do. Mary Louise Schumacher is still opposed to the statue because it’s too trivial. The Associated Press has an article that sums up what is happening, and even mentions Brenner leaving town. The best part of the entire thing is that Henry Winkler and company held a press conference to announce the completed funding in front of the Culver’s at the Shops of Grand Avenue. Couldn’t they find a slightly better location?

Taxes Due on Site of Suspicious 2002 OIC Fire

On March 10, 2002, a five-alarm fire destroyed the plant of Opportunities Pallet Recycling and Manufacturing Co, Inc.

More OIC – George Connections

Although the Gary George – OIC-GM connections are well documented, particularly those that have led to the convictions of George, Mark Sostarich and Carl Gee, recently-released audit information and other source documents indicate that perhaps the OIC-George connection needs to be further investigated. Nobody is accusing anybody of wrongdoing, but perhaps investigators should dig a little deeper into the dealings of George and those connected with him, if only to remove any hint of suspicion from settling on the mantle of the innocent. Take, for instance, the relationship between Todd Robert Murphy, OIC-GM and Gary George. Murphy was recently relieved of his Public Relations contract with OIC-GM, and was replaced by Martin Schreiber and Associates. The recent audit of the OIC-GM accounts indicated that payments made by OIC-GM to TRM Marketing Consultants, Murphy’s firm, were “unallowable expenses,” according to Paul Steiber of the State of Wisconsin. His review included two months during which Murphy received $4,000 per month from OIC-GM. Was this a “cushy consulting job,” as Leon Todd has suggested? Todd said the Murphy-planted cover story about OIC-GM that appeared in the Shepherd Express (and, interestingly, in newspapers in the African-American community) was “not enough” to save him his job. According to the audit, OIC-GM was not authorized to hire a public relations consultant with W2 funds. The Ethics Board did not have a complete accounting of the amount of money Murphy’s firm was paid over the years. The board was investigating “direct” payments, and Murphy’s were considered “indirect.” According to John Becker of the Ethics Board, the payments to Todd Robert Murphy’s firm “were not something we focused on.” Nor has the board “seen any checks,” from OIC-GM to Murphy, he said. One wonders if the State of Wisconsin Ethics Board should have done a better job reviewing its own documents, for the Statements of Economic Interests filed by George for the years 1999-2001 show that George received more than $1,000 per year from Murphy’s firm. It would be interesting to know how much exactly per year Murphy sent to George, and what he got in exchange. George also reported receiving funds from Petrie and Stocking, the firm that employed Mark Sostarich, who gave George kickbacks from OIC funds. George also received money from Coleman & Williams, Ltd., an accounting firm. Coleman & Williams also received money from OIC – to conduct an audit of the OIC books. Isn’t it odd that an accounting firm that received money from OIC-GM would also, coincidentally, be sending more than $1,000 per year to George, who was systematically swindling OIC-GM out of money, with the connivance of Carl Gee, the group’s director, and Mark Sostarich, the Petrie and Stocking lawyer? Bill Coleman, of the accounting firm, said the relationship was quite innocent, and that he had hired Gary George to do unspecified legal work for his firm. Since many aspects of attorney-client relationships are privileged, we’ll have to take his word for it. Still, workers at the Ethics Board, the United […]

Movers, shakers back arena shift