Business
Milwaukee Vodka Maker Moving to Walker’s Point
FO BEVERAGES A HOBBY Originally uploaded by strobist Great Lakes Distillery, Milwaukee’s local vodka distiller, is moving their operations from Capital and Holton to 616 W Virginia St in The Tannery complex of buildings. This has been picked up by a lot of other sources (including the JS, The Daily Reporter, RNN, and the Business Journal) so I’m not going to bore you with details on what it includes, but the tours sound great. I’m more concerned with what it means for the city. Guy Rehorst wanted more space, and he could have went anywhere in the metro-area and still called got away with calling it Milwaukee’s vodka. He chose to stay in urban Milwaukee though. Why? I haven’t talked to him directly, but here’s a couple guesses. It’s nice being close to your customers. It’s also a plus when you’re located by a Harley museum to generate a steady stream of customers for your tours. Being in a historic tannery building feels cool too, one could imagine. What does his business mean to Milwaukee? Realistically, not a lot of jobs directly, but there are other benefits. Everyone involved in local alcohol production deserves a huge round of applause from me, as do the people that drink it. Milwaukee is going to drink it’s share of alcohol, so it’s best that it’s made in Milwaukee. Every time you sip Rehorst compared to Absolut more money is staying in Milwaukee. Same with Lakefront, Water Street, and Alehouse beers vs Budweiser (and yes, even Miller). So while none of these distilleries create massive amounts of jobs, they keep wealth from leaving the city, and hopefully long-term bring wealth in (as they ultimately sell outside 124th Street). They also have this huge marketability asset that makes all of them being so close together so great. They’re great places to go. Now Guy’s tour is not running yet, but I imagine it’ll be something people talk about. It’s yet one more thing for people to do in urban Milwaukee (see: Fonz statue) that isn’t enough to draw people to come here on their own, but adds to a mixing pot of great things that make Milwaukee special compared to somewhere huge like Atlanta or small like Janesville. Milwaukee is a great place to be and with entrepreneurs like Guy Rehorst, isn’t anywhere close to losing it’s alcohol heritage, even with Miller moving to Chicago or Dallas (yeah, I said it).
Apr 16th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
New Alterra Opening
Alterra Spring Originally uploaded by MilwaukeeMark A new Alterra Coffee Roasters is opening today at 2999 N. Humboldt Blvd. near the intersection of Humboldt and Locust just over the river into Riverwest. According to Alterra… On Saturday, December 15th, the Alterra café on Humboldt Boulevard will open its doors, joining neighbors Loop Yarn Shop and Alterra Baking Company in our new building across from Pumping Station Park. In addition to freshly brewed coffee, the café will serve soups, salads, and sandwiches, and a wide selection of teas, espresso-based drinks and baked goods made daily from scratch. The Alterra will make a welcome addition to the neighborhood over a Starbucks. I’ll have to drop by once it’s warmer, venturing that far in the cold for a cup of coffee isn’t quite in the card for me yet. Please feel free to leave any feedback you have on the new location.
Dec 15th, 2007 by Jeramey Jannene
Art vs. Craft
After seven rounds, nationally-recognized Art vs. Craft has become a Milwaukee institution – by way of minimally institutional principles. Also an anomaly: over 75 progressively-minded, “new wave” artists, crafters and designers will be vending their handmade and independent wares – just in time for the holiday feeding frenzy.
Dec 1st, 2007 by Amber Herzog
Pabst Owner Seeks $200K Tax Refund; Claims Shares Have “Zero Book Value”
Foundation to IRS: Pabst shares have no book value; ask $200K refund
Jul 31st, 2007 by Michael Horne
Regulatory Woes Cost Baird $6+ Million
Claims Rise Greatly in Purcell Era Include Awards for “Mismanagement,” “Unsuitability,” “Failure to Supervise,” “Breach of Fiduciary Duty,” “Negligence.”
Jan 11th, 2007 by Michael Horne
Trial Set Figures in New Orleans Scandal; U.S. Attorney Says Johnson Controls Duped
Since indictments were handed down last January, the U.S. Attorney in New Orleans, Jim Letten, has secured six convictions in the wide-ranging case.
Nov 15th, 2006 by Michael Horne
Wi-Fi Deal Dead
"City will court other Wi-Fi providers" -- Ald. Michael J. Murphy
Sep 8th, 2006 by Michael Horne
Broadband Quote of the Week
"Well, if I was a consumer I would say, "Why in the hell is the United States No. 13 and heading south in broadband deployment?"
Apr 4th, 2005 by Michael Horne
Shakeup at Journal Sentinel
The changes were announced in an email sent to “Everyone JSI.”
Mar 21st, 2005 by Michael Horne
