Milwaukee's Friendly, Cozy Neighborhood Has Traditional Storefront Shops And Comfort Food Eateries

When it comes to urban destinations in the Midwest, Chicago tends to hog the spotlight. After all, not only is the Windy City the biggest town in the region, it also happens to be packed with iconic adventures, including world-class architecture, lakeside views, and artsy neighborhoods with great food and cool shops. However, despite Chicago's many splendors, it's not the only act in town. If you head just 90 miles north up the Lake Michigan shoreline, you'll arrive in Milwaukee, a city rich with its own charms.

Once full of smoke-belching factories and heavy manufacturing, Milwaukee has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past years, a city in a revitalized industrial river valley packed with breweries, art, parks, and riverside trails. While this new version of Milwaukee has brought with it a fresh, vital energy, the city hasn't forgotten its working-class, old-style roots, which are on full display in the Uptown Crossing neighborhood.

Situated a few miles from downtown in the city's northwest side, Uptown Crossing is known for its traditional storefronts and main street vibes, where you'll find locally-owned little shops and some great eateries. It's also a friendly place, reminding visitors that Wisconsin's largest metropolis can, at times, feel like a small town.

Uptown Crossing is known for its classic storefronts housing mom-and-pop shops, so for a taste of local history, head to Welke's Milwaukee Florist. Family-owned since 1901, this flower shop has offered a same-day delivery service since its inception and is a neighborhood institution. With a striking pint storefront, you can't miss it.

The businesses in Uptown Crossing embrace a community-based ethos, as seen at Cloud 9 Workshop, an art studio for both kids and adults that offers workshops, classes, camps, events, and more. For some saucy reading material, check out Thirst Books, which sits just next door. This independent, female-owned establishment specialises in romance tomes and stocks its shelves in a spirit of radical inclusivity. "As Wisconsin's first romance storefront, we believe Romance is for Everyone," they say on their website. "We all deserve to be the main character for romance."

When it comes to unique and alluring fashion creations, GG Collections may have what you're looking for. Situated right next to Thirst Books, this shop features the designs of Deborah Render, who opened up the store with the aim of making outfits to suit all women. "GG stands for gorgeous girls. No matter your size, shape, or height, we are all GG's," she said in an interview with Milwaukee's WTMJ-TV. "It's a God-given gift. I've had no formal training in design."

Milwaukee is a great food town, so much so that it's been described by some as the "Culinary Capital of the Midwest," and Uptown Crossing has no shortage of good places to eat. Locally owned and operated since 1986, the award-winning McBob's Pub & Grill is known for its massive corned beef and reuben sandwiches, as well as burgers, steaks, fully-stuffed tacos, and fish fries on Friday. The full bar also boasts a nice selection of beer, wine, and custom craft cocktails. For more drinks in the neighborhood, check out Vennture Brew Co., which serves as both a coffee roastery and a craft brewery, satisfying both caffeine fiends and hopheads. 

If you've got an itch for barbecue, Flava House may just scratch it, with ribs, chicken, brisket, mac and cheese, and an artery-clogging burger called The Beast — a beef patty smothered under a mountain of pulled pork, bacon, and barbecue sauce. For Mexican food, Paloma Taco and Tequila bills itself as a "friendly neighborhood taco shack" and serves up tortillas piled with an array of meats, along with vegan choices. Mekong Cafe offers an authentic taste of Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, while the woman-owned Ruby's Bagels does hand-rolled, New York-style bagels and draws rave reviews from customers online.

"Been to Ruby's a handful of times and their bagels are amazeballs," wrote one customer on Facebook, while this Yelp reviewer gushed, "Ruby's Bagels is an easy 5-star favorite. I love supporting this small business and the staff are always friendly and welcoming." For more of Milwaukee's neighborhood magic, check out this district that blends eclectic festivals, local art, and a strong sense of community.