Looking for a fun way to spend the Saturday after Thanksgiving? Head to South Milwaukee where 15+ local shops have gotten together to host the South Milwaukee Small Shop World Tour, a themed shopping adventure for folks of all ages.
Spear-headed by Natalie Gajewski, owner of Omen Subculture Clothing & Accessories, the event will feature over 15 independently owned businesses offering globally themed holiday shopping, discounts and immersive holiday experiences.
“We want people to see how much South Milwaukee has to offer,” says Gajewski. “We have so many great independently owned businesses here and we’re excited to promote them through food, wine tastings, discounts and a whole lot of holiday cheer.”
Guests can start their day by picking up a Global Christmas Passport (available at any participating shops). The passport has room for five Passport Stamps, which can be collected from participating businesses. Once the passport is filled, guests can drop their completed passports into one of the designated collection boxes to win the raffle prize at that location.
All completed passports are also eligible for a larger prize package which will be announced after the Shop Small World Tour Event.
Acetime Disc Golf
916 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 419-2237
acetime-disc-golf.business.site
Type of business: Disc Golf supplies
Theme: U.S.A.
Guests can expect: Classic Christmas carols, sports games on television, a festive Christmas tree, apple pie candy and sales on select merchandise.
Avenue Coffeehouse
911 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 304-8060
avenuecoffeehouse.square.site
Type of business: Cafe, coffee shop
Theme: Mexico
Guests can expect: Traditional live contemporary music with a Latin twist, housemade tortillas for purchase and discounts on Mexican Mochas.
Bakehouse23
1309 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 304-5151
bakehouse23mke.com
Type of business: Bakery
Theme: Vietnam
Guests can expect: Free samples with Passport stamp, plus a free cookie voucher with every purchase of a $25 gift card for the bakery. The bakery will also be offering banh mi sandwiches and bubble tea for purchase.
Barre Collective
1633 Rawson Ave., (262) 853-3319
barrecollectivemke.com
Type of business: Workout studio, barre classes
Theme: France
Guests can expect: Barre demonstrations throughout the day, French tarts, plus a pop-up featuring a vendor selling Fair Trade accessories, jewelry and bags.
C3 Designs
2110 10th Ave., (414) 764-3892
c3designs.rocks
Type of business: Custom-designed jewelry shop
Theme: Around the World
Guests can expect: Access to the shop’s annual gem event featuring hand-chosen gemstones gathered from around the world and sold for half retails value.
The Chi Shed
916 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 234-6022
thechished.net
Type of business: Makers boutique
Theme: The North Pole
Guests can expect: Sugar cookies, gingerbread men, hot cocoa and hot cider along with 20%-30% off select items
ChowChow Treats and Accessories
907 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 677-2735
chowchowtreats.com
Type of business: Pet items
Theme: Africa
Guests can expect: Traditional African dress and African food, plus $5 back for every $25 spent. The shop will also offer buy one get one half-off on select items.
Dupree’s Vintage
915 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 304-8242
dupreesvintage.com
Type of business: Vintage clothing and housewares
Theme: U.K.
Guests can expect: Mulled cider (both spiked and NA), regional snacks, photo ops with Santa and Billy Idol (mannequin), along with British punk, ska and Christmas music. Featured items will include Winter Solstice yule logs, smudge sticks, 50% off Christmas inventory and other select discounts.
Hollyville Boutique
916 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 220-0055
hollyville.com
Type of Business: Retro-inspired clothing shop
Theme: Poland
Guests can expect: Traditional Polish dress, music and dancing, paczkis and a “Pick a Poppy, Get a Discount” promotion.
Immortal Toys & Collectibles
907b Milwaukee Ave., (414) 301-4340
facebook.com/Immortaltoysandcollectables
Type of business: Collectible shop
Theme: Puerto Rico
Guests can expect: Tastings of traditional foods, Puerto Rican music and the chance to spina prize wheel for discounts, gift certificate and t-shirts.
Mari’s Flowers, Wine and Gifts
905 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 431-2030
marisflowers.com
Type of business: Flowers, live plants, gifts
Theme: Southern Italy (Sicily)
Guests can expect: Biscotti, Prosecco, buy one get one half-off wines, plus discounts on candles, soaps, lotions and jewelry.
Omen Subculture Clothing & Accessories
Omen Alternative Music and Media
1310 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 666-2804
omensouthmke.com
Type of business: Alternative/goth clothing, music
Theme: Italy
Guests can expect: Italian cookies, Italian roasted coffee and Italian Christmas music, plus a visit from La Befana, the Italian Christmas witch (photo ops available). Guests will also earn “Befana Bucks” ($10 for every $50 spent); get 60%-80% off all clearance items; and purchase $25 and $50 mystery bags for keeping or gifting.
Parkway Floral
1001 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 762-0246
parkwayfloralinc.com
Type of business: Flowers, plants and pottery
Theme: Holland
Guests can expect: Techno music, wine tasting and samples of food items including frikadellen, bitterballen, fries and mayo and windmill cookies. There will also be specials on classic blooms, paintings of windmills and Dutch scenes, in-house forced bulbs in handmade pottery and a Red Light District mannequin floral lingerie show-down.
Pink Bunny Games
1204 Minnesota Ave., (414) 304-5305
pinkbunnygames.com
Type of business: Table games
Theme: Germany
Guests can expect: Sales on select items
Rosenquist Fine Art
1805 10th Ave.
rosenquistfineart.com
Type of business: Art gallery, gifts
Theme: Sweden
Guests can expect: Cookies (ginger, almond, chocolate and raspberry), candy, sparkling pear drink, mulled fruit juice, wine and huvudroll (Swedish meatballs). The gallery will offer discounted pricing on mugs, canvas art bags and more. There will even be free temporary tattoos and stickers for the kids.