Swoon is a great mix of nick backs, baby clothes, kids toys, jewelry, candles and more. It's a…read moregreat place to stop for a gift for friends or families. They have the cutest onesies for kids and the largest selection of fern and needle I've ever seen. They also have a few other candle brands as well. They also have some small local artists work sold here. Overall a really cool artsy nick nack store that has a huge range of inventory.

I'm glad that this shop was close to the children's bookstore, because I may not have stumbled upon…read moreit otherwise. It looks small from the outside but like the Tardis it's bigger on the inside and packed full of variety of things. You'll find some really cool t-shirts here. I bought a couple for myself and if they'd had one in my nephew's size he'd have gotten one with The Fonz. They had a nice children's section with toys, clothes, and even diapers. I thought they were swim diapers at first but they are cloth ones, not swim. The kids items range from a few months old to a few years old (I bought a size 4 t-shirt for my kiddo). There are lots of gifts items here of various types, and they also have some cards which was helpful since I'm not sure I'll be able to get another one for my mom before Mother's Day. There's no parking here, but copious amounts of street parking is available so that shouldn't be an issue.

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.

Love this shop! All items chosen with love, and creativity- I can never decide when visiting her…read morepop up locations, which item to choose! Such a gift to Milwaukee!

From the owner: The She Shed is a Latina-owned and operated business, established in 2019. While we are located in…read moreMilwaukee, WI we operate online and participate in markets (mercados) throughout the year. We provide domestic shipping within the US. We carry small-batch items made by me and many others and strive to bring fun, vibrant, and unique gifts to you from us. When you shop with us, please know that you are buying from women, people of color and other small businesses. We really do a happy dance with each purchase! Thank you for shopping with us! Abrazos, Marissa

Argosy is an Interesting home accessories store. Different than the typical mass market paintings,…read morebowls, vases, Argosy has some unique and handcrafted items that are not available in the big-box stores. There's a odd mix of things here, from handbags and key-chains and jewelry, to candles, tableware and specialty foods. Oddly enough, I really liked this store, even as I recognized I'd have no place suitable for displaying any of what it carried. My decorating style isn't quite so formal. I was really struck by how well coordinated things were, the flow of the store encouraged me to keep browsing and led me from one surprise to another. The little dogs made of beads were adorable and as close as I came to thinking "maybe." The manager was as nice as could be and tried valiantly to get me to buy something, even offering suggestions for the bottled artichoke relish. And as tempting as it all was - I didn't want to pack it. So, I left empty-handed. Still, I'd stop here again simply because I can enjoy looking at things more knowing I don't have to clean it, dust it, or figure out where to put 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!).

I love this store! If you want to buy unique gifts and support the fair trade mission, this is your…read moreplace! I just shopped here for the holidays. Found a variety of beautiful ornaments, household items, and snacks. They also have children's toys, books, jewelry. Stop by and check everything out for yourself!

One of my favorite joints in Waukesha County. Their customer service is stellar; products are of…read moregreat quality; and their mission is about community and justice.

Amazing find! Local artist sell their work in this cute shop. Huge variety at great prices. A must…read morevisit!!

Very cute consignment shop in the village. There's so much here and it's a great spot to find a…read moregift for those hard to shop for family members. Jewelry, clothing, artwork, kitchen goods, home decor and do much more. There's two floors full of vendor spots and it's easy to lose an hour just browsing. I love the quality of all the handmade goods here and the prices are quite reasonable. Shop here and support local crafters and artists!!

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.

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!