25+ Amazing Small Businesses to Support in Milwaukee
Now that all the winter holidays have fizzled out, keeping the momentum going for small businesses can be tough. So it’s the perfect time for this post! Here is a list of small businesses to support in and around the Milwaukee area.
This post contains affiliate links.
The holidays can be a time for small businesses to thrive. With people buying gifts and being in shopping mode, it’s a time when small businesses do really well. But once the holidays are over, it can often be a struggle to keep sales up and stay afloat. Usually this changes once the weather gets nicer and people come out of hibernation mode, but in Wisconsin, that’s a long time to wait for business to be good again!
Obviously I love to talk about conscious consumerism in this space, so I’m not saying we need to be buying things left and right. But when you are thinking of making a purchase, it’s always great to shop locally for what you need. It’s too easy to hop on Amazon and order something, especially during winter when you don’t want to leave the house. But before you do that, remember the little guys in your community. Lots of places even offer free local delivery!
After living in the area for awhile now, I’ve gotten to know tons of cool spots for all of my needs. So I put together a curated list of my favorites for you. Many of the businesses mentioned here are eco-conscious in some way, carry non-toxic products, or can simply bring joy to a sunny weekend in Milwaukee. And even if you don’t live in Milwaukee, this post might give you a few ideas for places you can support in your community!
Food and Drink in Milwaukee
Beerline Cafe
Beerline is a great place to check out for some vegan eats. It’s easily one of my favorite brunch spots. They make pretty much everything in house from the filling for their crepes to the sauces in their wraps and bowls. It’s one of the more whole food-focused restaurant options in the area. Beerline is also conscious when it comes to waste. They provide water cups, utensils, and other reusables instead of single use items for their dining experience. My favorites are the Ethiopian lentil wrap, lemon poppy bb crepes, and hash brown benny!
Cafe Manna
This restaurant has been a timeless favorite of mine for years. Cafe Manna in Brookfield, WI has been open since 2008! They are 100% vegetarian and are very mindful of dietary restrictions. At least half of the menu can be made vegan, and they have notations for gluten-free and dairy-free options. Everything is made from scratch, and they have weekly seasonal specials that are out of this world.
Cafe Manna is well known for their eco-friendly practices. The floors are made of bamboo, walls painted with non-toxic paint, and some of their countertops are even made of “paper stone”, which is recycled paper. They are Green Restaurant Certified, they use all compostable materials for to-go orders, and they source a lot of their ingredients locally. This restaurant is also a member of Plastic Free Milwaukee, which is a city-wide initiative for small businesses to be recognized for being plastic free and more eco-conscious with their products and services. When it comes to sustainability, Cafe Manna gets an A++ from me (:
Paloma Taco and Tequila
Paloma is one of our faves in the area for tacos and modern Mexi-American food. If you enjoy margaritas, they have house-made infused tequilas and rotating seasonal flavors which are always fun to try. Their chips and salsa are top tier which is a key element to have at a taco place. Everything I’ve ordered from there has been fantastic, but they’re most well-known for their taco pockets! My favorite marg has to be the pineapple jalapeño. They have two locations, one in Wauwatosa and one opening soon in Bay View!
Joy Ice Cream
Joy is a newer ice cream joint off of North Ave in Wauwatosa. It’s such a cute atmosphere inside and out! Even the bathroom is adorable. I’m a sucker for places that are thoughtfully put together, and I can tell they had a fun time designing it. They feature many Wisconsin made ice creams and tons of flavors and toppings, and sometimes they do flight specials where you can get a taste of everything. A lovely spot to go on the weekend for a treat!
Vennture Brew Co (coffee and beer)
This is my favorite coffee shop, hands down. There are a ton of coffee shops in the area, so this says a lot! I feel like they have great price point for their drinks. I know if I spend money on a latte, I want it to be pretty good, and Vennture never disappoints.
Vennture has a lot to offer other than just coffee. They carry Bunny’s Bite baked goods, Hatch hand pies, and Pete’s Pops popsicles. I enjoy a coffee shop with a variety of snacks, and I love that they feature other local vendors. They also have beer, so they’re open later hours, making it a great all-day hangout spot.
Bunny’s Bite
Bunny’s Bite is where it’s at if you’re looking for vegan and gluten free treats. They make everything from cookies, muffins, banana breads, and a variety of seasonal cheesecake flavors. My favorites are the frozen twix bar and lavender cheesecake. You can find them at the local farmer’s markets, various coffee shops, and even Fiserv Forum!
Heirloom
This farm-to-table joint started as a food truck, but they now also have a restaurant in Bay View! Heirloom creates all of their from-scratch dishes from ingredients gathered from local farms. They have such a unique mission of taking what they learned from their parents in the garden and kitchen to “plant the seed” for others to do the same. Their menu is very unique, offering a variety of classic favorites and zesty creations. I hope to see more farm-to-table places pop up like this!
Bean’s and Barley
Bean’s and Barley is a restaurant, health food store, and gift shop all in one place. They started as a health food store back in 1973, and they’ve expanded quite a bit since then. They have a wide variety of dishes on their menu making it easy for everyone to get something they’ll enjoy. I like to come here for brunch on the weekend, order something savory, and then split the vegan blueberry pancakes with my boyfriend. Then after my meal, I usually wander over to the gift shop/store area to look at every single item while said boyfriend tries to drag me out of there. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday in Milwaukee.
Outpost Natural Foods
I love a good co-op. Outpost is a great spot for grabbing some locally made baked bread, grabbing a smoothie, or stocking up on bulk pantry staples. They try to source a lot of their produce from local small farms, and it shows because their produce is always great quality and fresh. I enjoy their baked good section since they offer a variety of muffins and patries in case you want a sweet treat for afterwards (and let’s be honest, you know you do). There are four Outpost locations in the Milwaukee area, making it super convenient to shop local, good quality food.
Home Goods in Milwaukee
Candles
I have not just one, but THREE local favorites for you for candles! I am VERY picky when it comes to candles, or anything scented that I use in my home. All companies mentioned make great candles with clean waxes and non-toxic fragrances.
- Bushyl : uses beeswax, cotton wicks, and essential oils. also makes soap and perfume!
- Milwaukee Candle Co : use soy and coconut waxes, cotton and wood wicks, and non-toxic fragrances.
- Milwickee : use coconut wax, cotton wicks, non-toxic fragrances and essential oils, and candles come in reusable rocks glasses!
360 Cookware
Made in West Bend, Wisconsin, 360 Cookware has some of the best stainless steel cookware on the market. I have the 11″ frypan, the 2.3 quart casserole pan, and the bake and roast pan, and they all still look brand new even after cooking with them every day. Awhile ago I slowly started switching our kitchen stuff over to non-toxic options, and I’m so glad I found a local company to support!
They don’t have a physical store, but it’s still cool to support them by ordering online. And even cooler that I have a discount code you can use with them. (; Code is KAY for 25% off!
Viren Apothecary
I absolutely adore Viren Apothecary. I met the owner Morgan many years ago at a zero waste pop-up and fell in love with her and her products. She is very well-known for her toilet bowl bombs that have gone viral on Buzzfeed multiple times. Yes, they really are that good! Viren’s focus is to offer green cleaning solutions without compromise. Making your own vinegar cleaner at home isn’t for everyone, and doesn’t always smell the greatest either. Morgan has done a great job to craft products that are better for you and for the planet, and actually work!
I really enjoy the seasonal scents she creates, but I think my favorite scent is the Balsam and Tonka Bean featured in the Wish You Wood Tabletop Gloss. Other things I recommend are the Crystal Clear Glass & Mirror Polish and Wash & Wear Dryer Ball Spray, but honestly, it’s all pretty amazing stuff.
URSA
Ursa is the cutest store in Bay View with a bright and boho vibe. They have handmade pottery, plants, jewelry, art prints, and more. They feature things from local makers and other small businesses. I enjoy coming here for unique home decorations and art prints. Just being in this store puts me in a better mood. It’s a great place to find cute gifts for people!
Bean’s and Barley
I mentioned Beans before in the food section, but wanted to mention them one more time in the home section since their home and gift shop is stellar. (: In their store area they have a variety of things like snacks, games, crystals, jewelry, and personal care products.
Ebb and Flow
This place is adorable and is a great shop to go to for small unique gifts! Tons of locally made and handmade items that are quirky and artistic. If you need a little weekend pick-me-up or mood boost, check out this shop.
Kellner Greenhouse
This is an amazing greenhouse and garden center to check out in Riverwest, Milwaukee. It’s family owned and it’s absolutely huge. They have a wide variety of amazing plants and home things. I’ve gotten a few plants from here and they’re still thriving!
Fashion and Clothing in Milwaukee
Vibrant Body Co
If you’re looking for non-toxic undergarments, Vibrant is the way to go. They label their products as CERTIFIED CLEAN™, meaning their products are third party tested for things like PFAs and BPA. I haven’t seen many companies do this before and I think it’s important, especially when it comes to your intimates and items that come into contact with sweat. Their fabrics are buttery soft and very high quality. I basically live in their tanks in the summer.
I am also an affiliate for Vibrant! You can use code KAY20 for a discount on their website. (:
Plume
Plume is one of my favorite spots to check out curated vintage clothes and accessories. Every time I come here I find a pair of vintage Levi’s that fit me just right, and then I have to have the tough conversation with myself about how I don’t need another pair of vintage jeans from Plume (I now have quite the collection). The boutique is SO cute, and they recently opened up the space upstairs even more. A few times a year they host events and I always have the best time. It’s truly a lustworthy secondhand shopping experience.
Divine Consign
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I love Divine Consign. It’s the largest consignment event in Wisconsin that happens 4 times a year. They usually host it at the Brookfield Conference Center and Waukesha Expo Center. Yeah, it’s that big.
They have everything from women’s clothes, shoes, purses, jewelry, and other accessories, and it’s all secondhand. The event lasts all week, but the last two days of the sale are the days when pretty much everything is marked down to 50% off, so you can really score some deals. You can also sign up to be a consignor and sell things yourself!
Clothes Mentor
Clothes Mentor in Brookfield is another spot to find good quality secondhand women’s clothing. This is where I go whenever I need a guest dress for a wedding or a blazer for work. They have a ton of women’s clothing, dresses, shoes, and purses. I’ve found a few of my favorite dress shirts here.
Beauty and Wellness in Milwaukee
Nice Hair Eco-Conscious Salon
I have actually never gotten a hair cut at this salon, but I wanted to note it’s environmentally conscious efforts. Nice Hair is one of the few that I have seen in the area that participates in SalonCycle, which is a recycling program out of TerraCycle that specifically focuses on beauty product packaging. Part of your service fee goes towards the cost of keeping their recycling efforts going. They have a wide array of stylists that offer different services, so you’re sure to find a good fit for what you’re looking to do!
HoneyBee Sage Wellness
This wellness apothecary and cafe has such calming vibes. HoneyBee carries many teas, herbal medicines, and eco-conscious beauty products. They even have an impressive cafe menu of teas and functional mocktails with a breakdown of all the benefits! If you enjoy wellness and need to get yourself a lil treat, this place is right up your alley.
barre3
Formerly The Barre Code – Third Ward, barre3 is one of my favorite spots downtown to work out. If you’ve never tried a barre workout, you’re missing out! barre3 wraps strength, cardio, and mindfulness all into one package. It’s an amazing workout that is perfectly balanced. As a women, I’ve found that low impact work outs like this really work for me, and it also brings me back to my dancer days.
The studio is literally so cute, everyone there is super friendly, and you always leave feeling like a million bucks. They have deals where you can try your first couple of classes for free, so go sign up and check it out!
Tippecannoe Herbs
This apothecary is located in Bay View and literally has it all. They sell everything from dried herbs and tea blends to tinctures and salves. The owner is super nice and is very knowledgeable of plants and their superpowers. Wether you’re you’re looking for a natural remedy or a spice blend for cooking, Tippecannoe Herbs is the perfect spot.
Citrine Skin Spa
I’ve been going to Citrine since 2020. Karen and her associates give the most AMAZING facials. They offer facials, waxes, and specific skin treatments. I love that they customize the treatment to your skin’s needs. Every time I walk out of there I feel so relaxed and rejuvenated, and my skin is more radiant than ever. Located in New Berlin (:
Juniper Spa and Body
This spa located on the East Side is definitely one to be noted. They offer facials, waxes, skin treatments, threading, and more. They also do air brush makeup and sunless tanning! Many of the products used are non-toxic and clean, which I appreciate.
Experiences in Milwaukee
Little Village Play Cafe
Little Village is the prime weekend spot on Wauwatosa for parents that want to get out and get their kids out too. This is a kid’s play place, cafe, and gift shop all under one roof. The space is absolutely adorable and perfect for families with young kids to spend time together. We don’t have kids, but I’ve stopped in here multiple times for a warm drink and to browse for nice gifts for my nieces. Their gift shop features lots of local makers and non-toxic toys too.
Milwaukee Makers Market
The Makers Market is essentially a farmer’s market for local artists, creators, and small business owners to show off their handmade products. Here you can find things like soaps, candles, ice cream, coffee, ceramics, vintage goods, and more. They always have a little bit of everything, and all of the vendors are in Milwaukee or within the state. This is always a fun event and a cool way to support multiple businesses. Around the holidays it’s a great place to find gifts!
414Flea
Very similar to the Makers Market, 414Flea is an event that happens a few times a year at various locations in Milwaukee. They have lots of vendors and there’s usually a couple of food trucks around to check out too. It’s a great event to find handmade art and rare vintage items. A very fun local event that helps small businesses!
Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
Many people think of museums as being “unsustainable”. This museum is very different from most, as it is centered around kids and families and is built for interaction and play. I actually used to go here as a kid! The Betty Brinn museum is a great place to go for a day of fun and a long-standing small business to support in the city.
I hope you found some inspiration from this post to check out a few spots in and around Milwaukee! What small businesses would you add to the list?
