Milwaukee is filled with hidden retail gems boasting unique collections of housewares, clothing, jewelry and one-of-a-kind gift items. In this series, we’re highlighting some of the best of the bunch and giving you all the information you need to shop smarter while supporting local artisans and business owners.
Barcelona
5708 W. Vliet St.
(414) 345-7494
studiobarcelonamke.com
Social media: @BarcelonaMKE
Owned by local artist Lynita Santora Wolf, Barcelona is a quaint shop chock full of a curated collection of locally made items, vintage finds and vintage-inspired new items. You’ll find art, housewares, jewelry and just about everything in between. The shop is open, with a limited number of shoppers allowed inside at one time. Masks are required. Chalk paint and supplies are also available to order online for pick-up.
Find unique gifts for: Creative types and just about anyone who appreciates artistic, handmade finds or unique vintage or vintage-inspired items
Treat yourself to: A new piece of handcrafted jewelry or some Annie Sloan chalk paint or brushes for your next DIY project (due to shipping issues during COVID-19, call ahead if you are looking for specific colors to make sure they are in stock).
Here are just a few examples of the type of items you can find at Barcelona:
Handmade jewelry
Adorable wool animals
Locally made ceramics
Vintage finds
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Gifts for little ones
Handcrafted bags and wall art
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
