Snuggle up with some holiday cheer as OnMilwaukee shares stories of everything merry and bright in the spirit of the season.
The OnMilwaukee Ho Ho Holiday Guide is brought to you by Educators Credit Union, Harley-Davidson Museum and MillerCoors.
We all have so much "stuff," so if we're gonna receive more, we want it to be items we truly appreciate and resonate with our personalities, values and quirks. This is one reason why shopping local in indie shops is the best way to buy, both during the holiday season and all year 'round.
Milwaukee is filled with hidden retail gems boasting unique collections of housewares, clothing, jewelry and one-of-a-kind gift items that friends and family will truly cherish. Plus, by shopping local, support goes directly to the artists and makers in your community. #winwin
Barcelona
5708 W. Vliet St., (414) 345-7494
studiobarcelonamke.com
[Read more]
A quaint shop chock full of locally made items, vintage finds and vintage-inspired new items like art, housewares, jewelry and more.
BC Modern
3116 S. Chase St., (414) 737-3745
bcmodern.online
[Read more]
An artistically arranged space in Bay View with vintage items from the '50s, '60s and '70s or anything else that's weird and eclectic. The spic-and-span shop is open one weekend a month and will be open next Dec. 17-18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow on Facebook to stay informed.
Beard MKE
1812 E. North Ave.
beardmke.com
[Read more]
A new, one-stop shop for men with barber services and a retail space selling apparel, grooming products, fun gift items and accessories.
Dandy
5020 W. Vliet St., (414) 982-5020
livedandy.com
[Read more]
Dandy describes itself as “Midventurous Modern,” which means there’s vintage fare like furniture, clothing, home decor, oddities and much more in an alluring setting.
Fischberger’s Variety Store
2445 N. Holton St., (414) 263-1991
fischbergers.com
[Read more]
The owners describe the store as a "gift shop masquerading as an old time variety store" selling quirky, useful and local gifts for all ages. They also have fabric, yarn and sewing notions.
The Flannel Fox
7602 Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa, (414)810-1984
[Read more]
The Flannel Fox was inspired by the tranquility and adventure of "up north" and sells clothing, homegoods gifts and more to enhance a classy, cozy lifestyle.
Goodland Home & Goods
2565 N. Downer Ave.
[Read more]
New shop featuring “cheerful, colorful homegoods along with artwork and some dry goods. Everything needed for entertaining, whether you’re a UWM student with your first apartment or the owner of a home on Lake Drive."
Il Bosco
25 S. 2nd St., (414) 212-8723
[Read more]
Il Bosco, which means "the forest" in Italian, is an upscale eco boutique that sells primarily handmade, sustainable goods created by artists and craftspeople.
Just Goods
4451 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood
facebook.com/justgoodsmke
[Read more]
Super cute shop featuring Fair Trade, vegan and local gifts made by Wisconsin artisans for humans of all ages.
Kujichagulia Producers Cooperative
Inside the Sherman Phoenix building, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
(414) 687-0122
[Read more]
Kujichagulia is the second of the seven principles of Kwanzaa and means "self determination" in Swahili. The shop offers jewelry, soap, candles, wellness products, hot sauces, art therapy kits and more.
Mainstream Boutique
159 N. Broadway, (414) 273-1720
https://www.facebook.com/mainstreamboutiquemke
A neighborhood boutique in the Historic Third Ward featuring trend-forward and affordable clothing. The shop's mission is to "lift customers up and make them feel beautiful."
Marn Art + Culture Hub
191 N. Broadway, (414) 485-0033
marnarts.org
[Read more]
The longstanding Milwaukee Artists Resource Network (MARN) moved into gorgeous new digs in 2021 and supports local artists in myriad ways, including a retail space with one-of-a-kind items created by local creatives.
Mod Gen
211 N. Broadway St., (414) 963-1657
mod-gen.shoplightspeed.com
[Read more]
Mod Gen's mission is to support the local community and promote creative living. The store has over 600 plants as well as an array of items such as local crafts, home goods and more.
MyOm
7963 N. Port Washington Road, (414) 405-3556
myomwellbeing.com/
[Read more]
This empowering North Shore boutique sells crystals, candles, clothes, skincare, tea, jewelry and a whole lot more in a peaceful, stress-free and harmonious space.
Oniomania
6430 W. National Ave., West Allis, (414) 727-9797
facebook.com/Oniomania
[Read more]
Oniomania – which is loosely translated to mean "insane shopping" in Greek – consigns the work of more than 25 artists. A few items purchased from small and / or Fair Trade businesses around the world are also available.
Riverwest Co-op
733 E. Clarke St., (414) 264-7933
[Read more]
The Riverwest Coop has a pop-up Holiday Market featuring handcrafted items including cards, jewelry, art, household items and more.
Sparrow Collective / Sparrow Boutique & Gift
2224 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 747-9229
sparrowcollective.com
[Read more]
Sparrow Collective is primarily a DIY, local gift shop and Sparrow Boutique, just a few doors to the south, is a cute and trendy women's clothing store with designers from Milwaukee and beyond.
Swoon Trinkets & Doodads
5422 W. Vliet St., (414) 204-9479
swoonllc.com
[Read more]
This adorable shop sells a large variety of gifts for all ages including handmade clothing, art, jewelry, soaps, lotions, cards, patches, toys and more from local and national artists.
Ursa
2534 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 312-7188
shopursa.com
[Read more]
Ursa offers a variety of products including home goods, plants, jewelry, men and women's apparel, and more. It also has its own apothecary line.
The Waxwing
thewaxwing.com
[Read more]
This now-entirely-online boutique showcases the work of carefully-chosen Great Lakes artists. Local delivery is free and The Waxwing also ships worldwide. New items are added daily.
Winkie's Hallmark & Gifts
629 E. Silver Spring Dr., (414) 964-2130
[Read more]
Winkie's in Whitefish Bay is family-owned and operated and offers two floors of carefully curated candy, gifts, ornaments, retro items and more. It's also a licensed Hallmark shop.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
