For four hours on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, nineteen vacant storefronts on Milwaukee Ave between Kimball and Central Park opened their doors to the community. It was a rare opportunity for creative small businesses who are ready to move into bricks-and-mortar -- or for those who are still testing the waters -- to check out a variety of spaces.
Our goal was to reach independent, local business owners who are looking for a storefront -- particularly those historically denied access to financing and mentorship. We wanted to make it as easy as possible for them to see the variety of available spaces on our stretch of Milwaukee without having to go through the sometimes daunting task of tracking down property owners and realtors. We also wanted to demonstrate that we're a diverse, inclusive community of creative entrepreneurs and legacy businesses on a walkable main street.
Based on the stats we gathered, it worked. We got a good turnout from the audience we hoped to attract. Of course, it remains to be seen if any leases will get signed, but Take A Walk On Milwaukee was a promising jumpstart. Click here to see the full report and photos.
