Beginning this week, watch for weekly (maybe more often) blogs from me on Downtown Milwaukee issues. I’ll write about needs, wants, wishes and challenges. It’s my neighborhood, and the heart of our state. And while the area has experienced a major renaissance over the past 15 years, there’s still work to be done. I’ll do my part here, and ask that you do your part by participating and sharing.
Today, Borders is on my mind. Coffee, too. With more than 15,000 residents, nearly 85,000 daily employees and a college population in the area of about 100,000, Downtown Milwaukee is vastly -- if I can coin a term – under coffeeed.
Coffee places succeed with density and a rise in coffee tides lifts all boats. So, I say, let’s lure Alterra into the Borders space (or at least a portion of it). Think of it. Riverwalk seating, a marquee spot for signage and Alterra’s always spot on design. Downtown Milwaukee is calling out for an Alterra.
Great downtowns work with density, diversity and a sense of discovery. As a long time resident, I’ve always loved Downtown but thought it lacks community-building spaces like coffee houses. Sure there are several, but not one signature spot in Downtown proper. Alterra would rock on the river for breakfast, lunch and even evenings.
Downtown is the place where people go to gather. But think about it for a while, if you’re under 21 where do you go? Coffeehouses. There simply isn’t a big one in the area. Staying late after work, don’t want a bar or restaurant setting? You want a place like Alterra to hang out it.
Visiting Downtown? Sure you can walk to the Foundry location, but why not feature one of the Milwaukee’s finest companies on our featured strip -- Wisconsin Avenue!
Alterra’s a fixture in Milwaukee, they do things right and their locations add value to the neighborhoods they open in. Wisconsin Avenue could really use an invested, interested and passionate tenant like Alterra Coffee Roasters. Let’s get an Alterra in the heart of our city.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
