In an ever-growing shopping arena designed to welcome hordes of insatiable consumers, part of the charm and value of smaller, more personalized venues — like the villages of Wauwatosa and Greendale and the Historic Third ward– is their cohesive sense of community. Indeed, recreating that sort of experience is what’s driving the design of urban centers like Bayshore and the anticipated Lakeside Market Square. Merchants communicating and coming together to present special events in a unified fashion is a win-win for everyone. Consumers enjoy profitable and fun destination shopping while stores and boutique owners increase their appeal and their revenues.
Speaking of which, if you’re feeling the pinch of taxes with April 15th around the corner, be sure to take advantage of the third annual TAX FREE DAY IN THE WARD event April 14 – 15. Giving you a much needed break, sympathetic stores like A Woman’s Touch, Broadway Paper, Cranston, East Town Women’s Shop, Freckle Face, InStep Running & Walking, J.Bird Boutique, Katie Gingrass Gallery, Lela, Metropawlis, Rubin’s Furniture, shoo, Sprout! The Home Market, Three Graces, Urban Accents and Verlo Mattress step up and pick up your tab for the 5.6 percent sales tax on any and all purchases. (www.historicthirdward.org)
You may have to pay the taxes during the April 7 – 21 APOTHECARY SALE at The Home Market (222 East Erie St., 755-2165, www.thehomemarket.net), but if you’re shopping for yourself or a friend you’ll still save 20percent off all the modern and luxurious lotions, potions, soaps and candles purchased at this very well thought -out store.
Got a yen for deep dish discounts? Scratch the itch at Faye’s (18900 W. Bluemound Rd., 262-432-0070 & 1505 W. Mequon Rd, 262-241-8386) FAYEBAY event. The deal is you make them an offer on any of their remaining sales items to save 75 – 90 percent off the original prices. SWEET!
Faye’s Brookfield Galleria West shop (18900 W. Bluemound Rd. 262-432-0070) is the spot to seek out though April 7 for the White + Warren and Lydia HirscherFall Sweater Trunk Show. Since the designers’ expressively unique urban sweaters are in high demand and available in limited quantity, putting in orders ahead of time just makes sense for savvy shoppers.
On to savvy local design companies. Milwaukee-based NEWD is quickly making a name for itself for its line of hip, high quality women’s and men’s fashion and apparel designed in limited editions. To create the expressive and modern tee’s, undies and funky accessories intended to make instant impressions, the company actively seeks out creative individuals to submit designs. If chosen, artists receive a percentage of sales of those designs put into production. Their line can be found exclusively at MP2 (825 N. Jefferson St., 272-4672 or online (www.getnewd.com)
Got a cool idea of your own? Drop them a line at fashion@getnewd.com.
Personal design is sweet April 5-7 at Macy’s (Mayfair, 471-3700) during their FRANGO CHEGGS PERSONALIZATION EVENT. Stop in and purchase any of their signature 4 or 8-oz mint, double chocolate, caramel, peanut butter, marshmallow or toffee chocolate eggs and they’ll finish it off with your Easter message free of charge.
Offering year-round support and recreational programs, Camp Heartland really steps up to the plate helping kids whose lives are impacted by HIV/AIDS. Help them raise the money that makes it possible 6 – 9:30 p.m. at the April 11 FASHION SHOW AND WINE TASTING event to be held at the Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center (790 N. Van Buren). Do it while checking out flirty lingerie, casual and leisure wear from Miss Groove, Stephanie Horne and Esselle Style Studio and sampling delectable treats from some of the city’s finest restaurants. There are also goods to be had at the event’s silent auction. Single tickets are $75, ($125 for two) or if purchased online $65 ($98 for two) at www.milwaukeefood.com/wineandfashion. For more info call 963-8705.
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The Fashion Revolution runway show highlights the retro/vintage glam, urban and recreated fashions and accessories of two of the city’s best known African American designers, Lolita of Brown Fox Boutique and Angela of D/Queens Crowns, as well as some cool street wear from Flow boutique. Presented April 7 at the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center (3020 W. Vliet), the 8 pm show will feature performances by Motion Disoderz, a raffle for gift certificates and Moet champagne. Tickets are $20 at the door or $15 preshow if purchased at the Showing Off by Hosea Salon (2742 W. Highland). For more info please call 975-4892 or email Sheena Luckett- Dodd at mindovermatterinc@yahoo.com.
Take care of your own heart and someone else’s by taking part in The Cooking Store (17115F West Bluemound Road 272-785-9800 www.thecookingstore.us) Heart Healthy Classes featuring Roots Restaurant Chef John Raymond. Benefiting the American Heart Association, learn how to make Creative Soups (April 9), Salmon, Chicken & Vegan Composed Salads (April 30) and Quick One Pot Chicken & Seafood Meals (May 14), $45 per person
Kudos to Fred’s (524 N. Water St., 273-3733) for hosting a month long clothing drive to benefit Casa Maria’s work with Milwaukee’s homeless population. The fashion boutique offers a 15% discount on all store purchases in exchange for any item of quality used clothing donated now through April 30. If you stop by to shop during one of the store’s Wine with Fred events (held 6 – 10 pm the last Thursday of every month) along with the savings, enjoy complimentary wine, nibbles, beauty makeovers, paraffin hand treatments, massages, eyebrow shaping and lots of fun networking opportunities with other stylish professional women of the city.
