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In the era of online superstores, brick-and-mortar retailers have to get creative to remain competitive. These three local shops have found a way to do that, by elevating their store fronts into gathering spaces for community members.
Unfinished Legacy
201 N. WATER ST.
Milwaukee isn’t known for its cutting-edge fashion. But Brema Brema, the designer behind Unfinished Legacy, is beginning to change that. Brema, who was born in Sudan and immigrated to Milwaukee as a child, quickly became a fixture of the city’s skateboarding community and still draws on skateboarding style for design inspiration.
He also makes regular references to his background in his design. (Check out Nuba, a zip-up hoodie and sweatpants set with rips and tears that recall the bullet holes he saw growing up in a war-torn country). “I love bringing my personal stories into the pieces,” he says. “Every small detail is really dear to me.”
Unfinished Legacy feels as much like a studio as a storefront, and you may see Brema at work on his next design if you visit. He also hosts regular events, like on the last Saturday of the month, when you can bring your own items to screen print right there in the shop.
Dandy
5020 W. VLIET ST.
Love at first sight does exist. When Ryan and Jess Day first laid eyes on the brick building at 5020 W. Vliet St., the couple knew that it’d make a great storefront. It wasn’t on the market, but when they approached the owner, she told them she’d be open to selling it. “She made us an offer,” Ryan says, “and we found a way to make it work.”
At first Ryan and Jess focused primarily on selling vintage furniture and home decor from the store, which they named Dandy (a portmanteau of their last names before they got married: Day and Anderson). But they realized that there was local demand for event spaces. So, they started renting out the building, and hosting events of their own, too – like drop-in drawing sessions and comedy open mics. Intrigued? Check out the company’s social media platforms for info on upcoming shows.
Ebb & Flow Design
906 E. CENTER ST.
Interior designer Claire Osterman believes that everyone deserves to live in a space that reflects their personality. That’s why she opened Ebb & Flow Design Co. – a Riverwest boutique known for its quirky, colorful home goods – last year. It’s also why she started hosting DIY interior decorating workshops for locals interested in learning more about turning a ho-hum house into a deeply personal home.
“We’re known for our Color Theory workshop,” Osterman says, explaining that the class is an ideal entry point for the color-curious among us who want to revamp their homes but “aren’t sure if they want to jump into a full-on project with a designer.” Anyone interested can sign up for a workshop online, or by visiting the store. Be careful, though. If you step inside, you may find it hard to resist Osterman’s well-curated collection of home goods.
