Full disclosure, I'm a McDonald's shareholder. And, the stock does fairly well as part of a diverse portfolio. I also, as a teenager, consumed my fair share of McDonald's cheeseburgers and double cheeseburgers. Stage now set for the following blog.
These days, though, I don't eat McDonald's much except for 1-2 per year on road trips when McDonald's' breakfasts truly taste the best and simply can't be avoided. But, I just might grab a few more Egg McMuffins if the Golden Arches had a location in Milwaukee's Downtown.
Seriously, what major city doesn't have a McDonald's in the heart of its Downtown business district? Not many. We used to have one, on Wisconsin Avenue, but now -- come to think of it -- our Downtown's heart is void of many of the plentiful fast food options that one comes to expect in a larger city. No Taco Bell, no Burger King and the closest Mickey D's is on First St. in Walker's Point or at 24th and Wisconsin Ave. The East Side. of course, has one too.
I do admire McDonald's and somewhat marvel at its business. I don't particularly love its nutritional value (or lack thereof), but I do think that my city deserves one in its Downtown.
Call me a chain lover, call me a Ronald shill. Whatever. I want more for our Downtown and more for my city. Part of this desire involves the constant recruitment of all sizes and shapes of restaurants and retail, for that matter.
I walked to a friend's condo the other night. It was a Saturday at about 6 p.m. I wanted a little something to eat, and something quick. My options were limited. Subway and Cousin's were closed, as were Bruegger's the Grand's food court, Waterfront Deli and a few other "grab and go" places. What I really needed was a quick and cheap McDonald's cheeseburger. Now, I'm calling for one.
Ronald, do you hear me?
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.
