Small but well-stocked little downtown store for ALL your Milwaukee needs. I got a hat, two…read morecoasters, and a Peoples' Flag from here.

We went to this gift shop in pursuit of two things - gifts for our kids to bring back from our trip…read moreto Milwaukee and an ornament (we have a tradition where we purchase a location specific ornament from any place we travel to). There was a good selection of ornaments, so we did find one we liked. There was also a great selection of Milwaukee gear (shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, puzzles, etc.). We did strike out on gifts for our kids, as there wasn't anything age appropriate for them. Very cute, nonetheless!

I'm here from out of state and was looking for gifts for people back home. The lady behind the…read morecounter was so friendly and offered me all kinds of suggestions of local places to visit while I'm here. It's a very cute shop and I picked up an adorable painting for my sister while I was there. I highly recommend stopping by.

Stopped here today because of a friends suggestion and found such an amazing human behind the…read morecounter. Kind, friendly, and open. The store was amazing too. Found this great scarf that gave me such joy. Can't wait to show it off and tell everyone about where I got it.

This is one of the cutest variety stores in town and it's one of those places where you want to be…read morethere to shop in person. They have all kinds of candy, puzzles, knitting materials, and it's very likely you'll find something unique for you/and or loved ones.

A cute hidden gem! I've been looking for blind boxes (specifically sonny angels and smiskis) and so…read morefar this is the only place that has them in Milwaukee. They have a ton of other cute items as well (stickers, snacks, plushies, etc). The owner is super sweet and kind and will put items on hold for you if you ask. I'll definitely be back to check out their new miffy items (and other blind boxes of course!).

Did some Small Biz Saturday shopping at this adorable shop- great gift ideas from candles to bath…read morebombs to Brew Your Own Beer Kits! They've also got an array of plants and unique pots for the plant lover on your list. I see that they do floral arrangements and orders, as well. The owners were welcoming, and it seems like West Vliet is turning into home decor central, with unique small businesses like Urban Sense. Shop Small is Everyday!

I just have to commend urban sense and Dan, who helped me when my nephew was transferred to a…read moredifferent different hospital. The day of the surgery not only did they reach out to me, but he also went ahead and helped me to find a solution. I appreciate everything and will use urban sense again in the future, very compassionate and again a great foundation for caring for their customers.

Well this place is cute as ever!!! Beyond just a spot to bring the kiddos, it's a wonderful cafe,…read moreserving the tastiest of drinks (I've yet to try the food - but looks like it has a great little line up of options). Tucked into the heart of Tosa, the location is on point. It's no wonder they're regularly busy and have such a welcoming and communal feel. The exterior boasts of beautiful murals, colorful and bright. As soon as I walked in, I was impressed with the atmosphere. All of the modern decor, lots of little things to shop for (by local vendors), a handful of tables to sit at and enjoy food/drink, and a friendly face at the register ready to check you in. I brought both my boys, 3.5 and 1.5 years old, and they had a blast. We booked a slot online ahead of time, which was very easy to do and came with a text & email reminder. When we showed up we paid for our entry ($11/kid for an hour) along with a latte for myself. I could not resist, given the drink options sounds darn good. And let me tell ya, the 'born to be wildberry shaken espresso' is something I need in my regular caffeine rotation!! As for the play area, I thought it was great! Plenty of space for kids of all ages. There were structures to climb, costumes to dress up in, blocks to stack, musical instruments to play, trucks & cars galore, and beyond. Oh and comfy couches for the moms/dads/caretakers to get comfy. All in all, a beautiful and safe place for littles to play! Also awesome: they host workshops, classes, storytimes, and other groups for parents and kids to get involved in. Unfortunately we live a tad out of reach for regular enough visits, but I'd imagine their membership is something worth looking into. I think what I appreciated most was was how community-centered Little Village feels. From the staff to the friendly moms & dad visiting, it was a vibe. Can't go wrong with a visit here!

You wouldn't think you could confuse an everyday coffee shop with a coffee shop geared towards…read moreparents with a play area and fun events. But I did! I also (perhaps weirdly) asked if I needed to be a parent, which I am not, to get a coffee. The barista seemed amused/confused and said no. I ordered a very nice latte and got some work done. Thankfully, I remembered by ear buds. What a great idea for those with children or grandchildren! Socializing, coffee, toys, a play area, adorable decorations. Such a wonderful options for those with kids/nieces/nephews/godchildren. Everyone wins and has fun!

Tremendous gift shop with everything beer related. Clothing, magnets, hats, bar ware, housewares,…read moregrills ... everything & anything beer related or with the logo. Of course the tour ends in the gift shop.

Without knowing what to expect except for the fact that this has been a popular, big event in…read moreChicago, hubby and I went to Fiserv Forum Plaza to check out the Christkindlmarket Milwaukee on their first Sunday. We picked the evening to go hoping to see the beautiful yellow lights (and I recommend you to go in the evening too - same food same drinks same shops but the view is more beautiful). The ornaments and lights indeed made it festive, but there were surprisingly not many tents and people. And there was no music. The market felt kind of tiny, empty and quiet on the huge, open Fiserv Forum Plaza ground. Maybe as the holiday season approaches, the vibe will get better. Here are the things that we did and enjoyed: 1. Got the warm, creamy, rich Belgian hot chocolate in the super cute Milwaukee souvenir mug. It's $11 with the mug which is pricey for such a small size of drink. But I liked the mug a lot and thought sharing a mug of hot chocolate with someone you love on a cold winter evening is kind of sweet. 2. Different handmade crafts from Germany, blankets from Peru, outwear, tea, coffee cakes, chocolates, pies, candies, cookies, cream cheese, soap... We walked around the outdoor area to check out all the vendors. It took us less than 30 mins but it was fun. 3. Checked out the indoor Christmas décor and gift shop before getting food. The staff were super nice. 4. Got the Raclette cheese sandwiches! Watching the melty raclette got scraped into the bread was delightful. With $1 extra, you could add a brat to the sandwich with a similar amount of cheese (we thought, as I got one with just raclette and hubby got one with a brat). * My suggestions are: 1) eat the sandwich as soon as possible when it is still warm and moist. Don't spend too much time looking for seats or taking photos lol. 2) Your hands may smell stinky later if you touch the cheese, which is highly likely to happen as there is so much cheese! 5. Found the warming house and sat down and enjoyed some simple, traditional live Christmas music performed by a band.

Absolutely a fan of Christkindlmarket Milwaukee or CK/MKE, and have many thoughts after having…read morelived in Chicago for 20 years, with their market being one of my absolute favorite things about the Holidays in Chicago. A Christkindlmarket is a traditional European or German "Christ Child Market". Say "Kindle Fire". Now say "Krist Novoselic of Nirvana." Now say "Krist Novoselic has a Kindle." Then say "Krist Kindle Market". You've got the pronunciation! Love: - Gluwein in the heart-shaped souvenir mug! So tasty and festive! - Pierogi, sausages, sauerkraut - Raclette is so hot right now, and they've got it! (Tastes better than it smells, trust me.) - Hot chocolate in a souvenir mug - The warming house is huge, and sometimes has carolers - Bathrooms are the indoor kind by the Fiserv Beer Garden - It's.not.that.crowded (Seriously, just walk slowly, wait your turn at the stands, and practice patience). - Especially not crowded on a weeknight - Handmade crafts from Germany, and small businesses like Taylor Street Soaps from Little Italy in Chicago - Kaethe Wohlfahrt ornament and handcrafted nativities - Fiserv Forum Plaza/Herb Kohl Way makes a perfect location Improve: - More, more, more, make it bigger! - More crafts from Germany, please. Like those wooden handcrafted moose, dragons, animals, and those goofy toys like the squirrel whistles - More local businesses, and perhaps add Makers (from Milwaukee) that do Holiday signs 'n' stuff. This doesn't have to be just like Chicago's. - Add some high tops outside so people can post up to eat/drink - Can we get some Kinder Uberraschungs up in here? We won't choke on the prize, promise! - Commemorative art print really needs improving. Big missed opportunity to make a good art print into $ for charity, including cards, magnets, and an annual ornament. A good first year for Christkindlmarket Milwaukee!

The a gem of a store. Its what I would describe as an urban housewares stores. It has lots of…read moreinteresting home decor items, but usually in scaled down versions. For example, lot of small/miniature plants to fit into a smaller apartment or condo. They also offer other knick knack like items to help accent your home. I like the nice selection of birthday/greeting cards. The staff are friendly and available for assistance.

I just did all my holiday shopping in one stop. Mod Gen is a perfect little shop that has unique…read moreitems (cards, holiday decor, kitchen and home items, books, etc) and fantastic planters and plants for all tastes. And the opportunity to have your chosen plants planted in your choice of planters on the spot makes it so special, especially for someone like me who can't seem to pot a plant to save my life. The store is heavily stocked but not overwhelming; it takes a while to see it all and decide what all I wanted to get. It is a lot of fun to shop here. Park at the Public Market for the easiest way to find a spot or wait for a spot on the street. I am not sure about accessibility as it is a few steps to get in the front door. I didn't see another option but I also didn't look for one. I hope they have access somewhere but call ahead to be sure.

GoodLand Home & Goods is such a wonderful store. It's actually more than a store and is truly a gem…read morein the growing Downer Ave. shopping scene. I love that they offer such a diverse selection of unique items that can't be found at big box stores. From beautiful art pieces to cozy robes, delightful candles, and even sweet treats, there's something special waiting to be discovered at GoodLand. Our visit felt like a treasure hunt, and we found some perfect gifts for friends, family and for ourselves during our jaunt through the store. GoodLand has curated a fantastic collection of one-of-a-kind items. Their commitment to providing a personalized shopping experience is evident, and it makes a significant difference in the community having such a unique shopping experience at everyones fingertips.

Stopped in here before a movie at the Downer and I'm so glad I did! This place is adorable and I…read morelove everything they have to offer. This place is going to be on my list for shopping local for the holidays and just gift-giving, in general. At the moment, I didn't have anything specific in mind, but I did need a birthday card, so I bought a really cute one with a cupcake on it. The owner was super friendly and was there to help, if we needed it. Definitely check this place out for gifts and treats for yourself.

What a strange and unusual place. The couple that operate this place may live upstairs, and they…read moreare trying very hard to provide different services to make this shop work. I highly recommend the gift shop part, they have very nice gift quality bamboo plants and I caution you about overusing the noun, gift, as a verb. I understand it's technically correct but this usage should be limited to large charitable donations else we run into uncomfortable confusion when we refer to, say, a gifted child (talented or human slavery?). Here you can find all sorts of nice planter gifts you can GIVE to a friend. I gave myself one. I would most certainly not say I "gifted one" to myself. It's my year, the year of the rat, so I also got a Chinese rat artsy fartsy desk top thing that my cat Scotty immediately knocked off the desk. Some kind of personal affront I suppose, or maybe he thought I "gifted it" inappropriately to him. Anyway, it didn't break in spite of his mighty effort. They also offer a range of Chinese astrological services, and if you're a non-Asian with a little more money than you need you can get some Feng Shui into your environs with their consultation services. Like any good fortune tellers they are actually very observant polite and subtle interrogators. In the process of seemingly casual conversation they quickly discern what it is you want and maybe need to hear. From this perspective I can also recommend them for people who need a little support, a little guidance. Over the years I've noted that occult advisers of various cloaks and genres actually provide supportive therapy, a friendly and sympathetic ear for those who need to get through a difficult time, experience or transition. If they're good that is, and I feel like these two are very good. But if you're just popping in to explore, the banter borders on annoying so be forewarned. I had a couple other things to write but Scotty is looking like a golfer teeing up on a par 5 aiming to knock the Chinese rat off my desk down the feline fairway that is my home office so I have to go now.

Super random place In my hometown! Never came across a tiny store like this but sure was…read moreinteresting!