Milwaukee Shopping

It's helpful to have a downtown shopping mall for the essential things of life. The Shops of Grand Avenue don't provide a "thrilling retail experience," but it's good to be able to get the necessities of life in an urban setting - and for better or for worse, we Americans do love our malls. The Shops of Grand Avenue aren't a destination for luxury goods, but they do have one anchor department store, the Boston Store, as well as a number of other important national retailers, ranging from Walgreens to TJ Maxx to Office Max. And Applebee's - it's that kind of place. There's a big food court that offers a lot of options if you're with a group of people and can't settle on one place.

Four major buildings along west Wisconsin were renovated to form the Grand Avenue Mall. That was back in 1982, pretty dark days for downtown retailing in the USA. In 2007, the mall is celebrating its 25th anniversary - and with an increase in downtown population, and major new apartment/condo projects in the Third Ward, along the lakeshore and on the East Side, things have to be looking up for the shopkeepers and managers.

ArtAsia offers the discerning collector a chance to see an entire range of fine home furnishings and objet's art that you won't find at Target and Pier One - the things that are the REAL THING, not simply inexpensive mass-produced knock-offs (not that I'm knocking knock-offs, mind you.)

The owner-curator of ArtAsia has stocked the store with exquisite imports from the best manufacturers in China, Tibet, and Nepal. I'm just crazy about the fascinating Buddhas, as well as the sturdy beautiful-but-functioning dressers and corner tables on display. A little out of my everyday price-range, but generally prices are in a range that it's reasonable to aspire toward. In other words, you'll need to save your dollars to shop here, but you won't need to win the lottery.

Eclectic, esoteric, exotic, and glamorous. All words that describe the mix of artefacts and objects large and small in this wonderful boutique. I found the perfect wedding gift here for a "hard-to-please" couple. But what I really wanted to do was to run up my charge card with some of the "one-of-a-kind" architectural relics I found here. Asian and African items in abundance, but the emphasis is on quality whereever it is found. This is a fun place to browse, even if you're not in a buying mood.

When Kris (Taz_Mocha) said she wanted to buy a cheese wedge hat for her nephew, I knew exactly where to go, Mars Cheese Castle!

We pass by Mars Cheese Castle every time we go through Wisconsin and have a good laugh at the name but I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've ever stopped there.

What to buy: In addition to a huge selection of novelty gifts, there's quite a large selection of, you guessed it, CHEESE! Also, sausages and other meats, baked goods, wine & beverages, chocolates.

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On our recent trip to Chicago we took a day trip and drove up to see the Pabst Mansion in Milwaukee, WI. On our way there, about 45 minutes from Chicago, we passed the Mars Cheese Castle and knew we would stop on our return home.

The Mars Cheese Castle has been in exisitance for over 45 years, a vertiable "palace" of cheese and other goodies. They have a restaurant, a bakery, sandwich counter, cocktail lounge and a huge gift shop.

What to buy: Well for the true fans of cheese there is the "cheese head" hat which Kris bought for her nephew back in Germany. I personally got a kick out of the Salami wrapped as a "Miller Lite" beer bottle. Since we were there around the holidays Mars offered cheeses cut to lok like Christmas trees. We found many varities of fruitcake as well as the popular "Kolacky" which are European pastries--Yum!!

There is so much to look at in the store and if you cannot make up your mind right then and there they have an on-line store for your shopping pleasure.

http://www.MarsChesse.com

The PABST MANSION GIFT SHOP is located in the Pavilion and offers a unique shopping experience. Gift items, books, souvenirs and post-cards (.65) are offered, just to name a few. Proceeds from the gift shoppe help support the restoration and preservation of the Mansion.

Is a one of a kind sausage maker. Right off River walk. Open since 1880.

What to buy: Bratwurst, Beerwurst and German-style wurst

What to pay: About $25.00 or more If you are like me and want to stock up.Plus live in another part of the country.

I know it's just a chain, but it's good to see a Borders Books newly opened in a prominent location in downtown Milwaukee. This branch isn't as large as many of their suburban megastores, but you gotta appreciate them for investing in the future of urban America. It makes Milwaukee just a little bit more livable, IMHO.