Four New Businesses Open In Milwaukee’s Near West Side

MILWAUKEE – Four businesses are opening in Milwaukee’s Near West Side, bringing continued economic growth and opportunity to the community.

“Near West Side Partners is thrilled to welcome these new businesses, each one bringing their own special and unique potential to our neighborhood,” said Lindsey St. Arnold Bell, Near West Side Executive Director. “An important goal of Near West Side Partners is to bring new development to the community, and the addition of these four businesses shows the continuing growth of assets and effort to create resources.”

Here are the four businesses joining the Near West Side:

The Academy of Skin & Beauty (1834 W Wisconsin Ave)
The Academy of Skin & Beauty aims to provide aspiring beauty professionals with a comprehensive and immersive learning experience. With a team of experienced instructors who are experts in their respective fields, students can expect to receive world-class training that covers a wide range of beauty disciplines, including skincare, makeup artistry, permanent makeup, and more. Starting on Mon, Aug 28, the academy will be open Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Buffalo Boss(540 N 27th St)
Wings, wings and more wings! Buffalo Boss offers an extensive selection of sweet, savory and spicy sauces to compliment the chicken that’s been marinating in their signature seasoning for over 24-hours. This Near West Side restaurant will be their second location, in addition to the Sherman Phoenix Mall. Bring your friends – and your appetites! Starting on Sept 11, Buffalo Boss will be open Mon-Thurs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri-Sat from 11 a.m. to Midnight; Sun from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Gray Jett Cafe (1617 W Wells St)
A vegan and vegetarian café with a mission to provide customers with healthy, nutritious options. Non-vegetarian options are also available. Gray Jett Café was a finalist in NWSP’s 2022 Rev-Up MKE competition. Starting on Aug 26, Gray Jett Cafe will be open Mon-Thurs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Fri-Sat from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and then reopen from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m.; Sun from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Washington Park Media Center (4303 W Vliet St)
Washington Park Media Center is a media production, strategy, and training center. Washington Park Media Center is owned and operated by Sara Daleiden of MKE<->LAX and Wes Tank of TankThink. The two independent, creative small businesses, MKE<->LAX and Tank Think, now occupy the center. The Center also provides space and equipment for filming, photography, podcasting, live streaming, hybrid events, and multimedia installations. Washington Park Media Center is open by appointment only.

To boost the community’s economy and revitalize the neighborhood, NWSP and its partners offer a number of resources to new businesses and entrepreneurs looking to establish themselves in the Near West Side. For example, by teaming up with Brew City Match, an economic development effort led by Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), NWSP provides tailored support and resources to entrepreneurs, assisting them in finding suitable commercial spaces and accessing the tools needed for success.

Brew City Match has been particularly helpful in supporting small business owners as they open brick-and-mortar locations in the Near West Side. Buffalo Boss, Gray Jett Cafe and Washington Park Media Center all received grant funding through Brew City Match – propelling additional investment and development.

“Near West Side Partners and Brew City Match have joined forces to empower entrepreneurs and small businesses in the community,” said Travis Spell, Program Officer – Economic Development, LISC Milwaukee. “As part of the LISC network, NWSP leverages its deep neighborhood knowledge and connections to identify opportunities for growth. This strategic collaboration nurtures economic development, encourages local business ownership, and fosters a vibrant, inclusive urban ecosystem, contributing to the overall well-being of the Near West Side neighborhoods.”

Since the NWSP’s inception in 2015, the Near West Side has gained nearly 50 new businesses.

About Near West Side Partners:
Near West Side Partners, Inc. (NWSP) is a non-profit organization with a mission to revitalize and sustain the Near West Side as a thriving business and residential corridor, through collaborative efforts to promote commercial corridor development, improved housing, unified neighborhood identity and branding, and greater safety for residents and businesses. NWSP was founded through the support of business and civic leaders, including the organization’s five anchor institutions – Advocate Aurora Health, Harley-Davidson, Marquette University, MolsonCoors and Potawatomi Business Development Corp.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.