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Published on 5/17/08
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 | Map it: Click here for a Google map of these spots, along with our other favorite Milwaukee restaurants, shops, bars and attractions. |
Anomaly Design Shop
Aptly named, this teensy design-and-decor–oriented boutique is quaintly cluttered with gadgets, cards, gifts, accessories and the like. Walls are painted in Marimekko-like patterns, and Anomaly’s in-house design studio does graphic design to order. 816 E Brady St, 414-272-0816, anomalydesignshop.com.—Lauren Viera
Collectors Edge Comics
With a quartet of locations each covering a corner of the city, there’s no doubt that these guys are the Fantastic Four of Milwaukee’s comic-book-store scene. These tidy shops are manned by (not surprisingly) meticulous comics brainiacs. For locations, go to collectorsedgecomics.com.—Heather Shouse
Downtown Books
There’s nothing fancy or pretentious about this used-book store. And because of the downtown location, it’s not much of a hangout for people looking to be seen sipping coffee and nodding along to Carson McCullers’ short stories. The three-level shop has a hefty selection—everything from fiction, comics and travel books to VHS tapes (many under $1) and records—and a friendly staff to help you find whatever you need. 327 E Wisconsin Ave, 414-276-5330.—Tim Lowery
Fashion Ninja
Areka Ikeler, founding designer of the Fashion Ninja clothing line and boutique, might better be described as a fashion samurai. Swift and skilled with a pair of scissors, the young design-school grad cuts and sews materials—more than half of which are repurposed thrift-store finds—and transforms them into funky, elegant designs. The boutique also features the work of about 30 other designers, offering handbags, skirts and accessories at prices much lower than you’d find in Chicago. 2671 S Kinnickinnic Ave, 414-481-3865.—Martina Sheehan
Where do you go for a drink?
Basement shows. Check out Holy Shit!, Squidbotz, Terrior Bute, Mildew, Goodnight Loving—local heroes who rip the fuck out of Milwaukee basements on the regular.
The best sandwich in town?
Solly’s grilled butter burger (4629 N Port Washington Rd, 414-332-8808).
Milwaukee’s best-kept secret?
It’s not a secret but let me shout out Riverwest Film and Video (824 E Center St, 414-265-7420). The sickest video store of all time, and they even let me throw shows there.—Matthew Lurie
To hear tracks from Juiceboxxx and other Milwaukee music makers, click here.
Milwaukee Public Market
Reminiscent of Seattle’s Pike Place Market, this foodie Valhalla is frequented by Milwaukeeans for organic produce, fresh flowers or a live crustacean plucked from the “lobster spa.” We suggest heading here for lunch, specifically at the St. Paul Fish Co., which cooks up a mean shrimp po’ boy ($8.95), as well as salmon on a stick ($3.95). Don’t leave without stopping by C. Adam’s Bakery for a Brookie (a holy union of cookie and brownie, $2.25). 400 N Water St, 414-336-1111.—Laura Baginski
Atomic Records
This spot is the oldest indie record store in town, which might explain why the staff is as knowledgeable as it is friendly. New, and some used, punk, indie, world, rock and electronic albums fill the bins, with CDs and vinyl being given almost equal space. 1813 E Locust St, 414-332-3663.—MS
(shoo)
Fans of handcrafted, chunky and funky men and women’s footwear will be happy to find Cydwoq, John Fluevog, farylrobin and Trippen here. Most pairs are $200 and up (and well worth it), which makes the sales—two for $120—a steal. Also in stock are rare Cydwoq leather satchels and an awesome line by a local handbag designer, dubbed h(om)e. 241 N Broadway, 414-765-2355, shoostore.com.—LV
Sweet Kicks
“Sweet kicks! Where’d you get them?” Fashionable Milwaukeeans know the punch line: This hip shop is the city’s go-to source for cult-following European shoe brands, with Campers, Gola, Le Coq Sportif and Ben Sherman lining the shelves. 2327 S Kinnickinnic Ave, 414-727-7800.—HS
Neapolitan Records
Serious vinyl collectors and novices with a taste for the unusual will appreciate the heady selection of prime jazz, Latin, soul, funk and rare private-press LPs here. 2367 S Howell Ave, 414-747-9191.—MS
Tip Top Atomic Shop
Ever wonder where those black-banged Bettie Page look-alikes find rhinestone-clad grandma sweaters, curve-hugging pencil skirts, cat-eye glasses and enough midcentury home accessories to outfit an entire trailer park of Airstreams? This is the place. 2343 S Kinnickinnic Ave, 414-486-1951.—HS
What’s the city’s best-kept secret?
At Beans and Barley (1901 E North Ave, 414-278-7878), the food is half off in the deli between 8:30 and 9pm. They’re going to kick my ass for revealing that!
The best sandwich in town?
The Cheesey Tomato at Comet Café (1947 N Farwell Ave, 414-273-7677). It’s cheesy and tomatoey with onion and spinach on a big ole chunk of bread. Melted. It’s just awesome. You should get one.—Joel Reese
Andrew’s Madam Chino clothes are at Fasten Co-Op (2224 S Kinnickinnic Ave, 414-747-9229, fastencollective.com). She also makes coffee drinks at Rochambo Coffee & Tea House, 1317 E Brady St, 414-291-0095.
Usinger’s
You may have received one of the company’s gift packs of summer sausages, cheeses and wursts, but here’s your chance to see where the magic happens. Legend has it that elves are the secret to the family-run business’s success, but we think it’s that hint of smoke in the hickory bacon or sausages like the Thuringer. 1030 N Old World Third St, 414-276-9105, usinger.com.—TM
Lotus Land Records
The prices are low and the dust is thick at Riverwest’s premier keep-it-real record shop. The small space makes for close quarters, but the bins are stocked with new and used hip-hop 12-singles, and funk 45s are sure to keep DJs’ sets fresh while a basement full of cheapo LPs provides music junkies with a quick fix. 338 N Milwaukee St, 414-372-8317.—MS
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