On Nov. 23, many Milwaukeeans will wake up early, pile into their cars and speed toward the Bayshore Town Center. Black Friday is now almost as much of an American tradition as Thanksgiving itself. And thousands flock to the Glendale mega mall every year to score holiday deals at big box stores like Kohl’s and Erehwon Mountain Outfitter.
Local retailers see a boost in November sales too, even if they don’t cater to Black Friday crowds as much as their national competitors. Jim Sajdak, president and CEO of Stan’s Fit For Your Feet, says the company’s Glendale location will offer discounts of 20-50 percent but won’t open early. “People come to our store later in the day, when they’re ready to shop in peace and relax,” he says.
Many local bars and restaurants resume normal business hours on Black Friday as well. So, if you decide you can’t eat another bite of turkey or stomach another story about your aunt’s latest trip abroad, Glendale offers plenty of good excuses to leave the house.
Where to go
1) Sprecher Brewery
701 W. Glendale Ave.
Though it opened in Milwaukee in 1985 as the city’s first craft brewery, Sprecher is now based in Glendale. For $8, you can tour the company’s gas-fired brewhouse, aging cellar, bottling line and warehouse, and sample four of more than 20 beer, cider and hard soda options.
2) Neroli Salon and Spa Bayshore
5714 N. Bayshore Dr.
Our readers voted Neroli their favorite salon and spa earlier this year, and for good reason. The company hosts regular product launch parties and offers a dizzying array of pampering services, from haircuts to massages to facials.
3) Bayshore Town Center
5800 N. Bayshore Dr.
Originally built in 1954, Bayshore was redeveloped into a mixed-use shopping mecca – with 113 residential apartments and 1.3 million square feet of retail space – in 2006. If you need to hit multiple big box stores at once, or you consider The Cheesecake Factory haute cuisine, it’s the place to go.
4) Kletzsch Park
6560 N. Milwaukee River Pkwy.
The Oak Leaf Trail and the Milwaukee River both run through this idyllic park, which doubles as a great fishing destination for anglers looking to reel in salmon and trout – both of which are abundant in early November.
5) The Brick Pub & Grill
6343 N. Green Bay Ave.
Locals love this sprawling tavern, partly for its hearty fare (bacon-wrapped meatloaf!) and partly for its owners’ commitment to charity – since 2015 they’ve donated $30,000 to community nonprofits. They also book live musical acts on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
6) Brown Deer Park Golf Course
7625 N. Range Line Rd.
Considered the best course in the County Parks system – the one where Tiger Woods made his professional debut – this can be found along Glendale’s western border. A stream cuts through the 18-hole, 6,759-yard course, which features rolling hills and many tree-lined fairways.
Thinking of moving?
Median Home Price: $219,000
Average Household Income: $48,705
64 percent of residents own their own homes
41 percent of residents are single residents
