We are a bit late with our MKE Three – September blog post this month because we have big news. We had a baby! Ainsley Belle Wambold was born five days late on September 27, 2018 at 4:09 pm. We are absolutely in love with our new little Milwaukee Beer Gear assistant.
While we were still (not so) patiently waiting for Ainsley to arrive, we tried to keep busy exploring Milwaukee this month and were very excited that fall was finally in the air!
September always feels like a time for new beginnings – back to school, saying goodbye to summer, getting ready for fall and the holiday season, and enjoying all that autumn has to offer. The first half of the month was still pretty warm here in Milwaukee – 70s and 80s! – but it’s started to cool down now and we are ready. This month we partook in several Milwaukee events – Doors Open Milwaukee, a fall/winter fashion show and a new-to-us farmer’s market. Let’s dive into MKE Three – September edition.
88.9 Radio Milwaukee Tour
Doors Open Milwaukee is an annual two-day event celebrating Milwaukee’s art, architecture, culture and history by opening up 171 buildings in Milwaukee’s downtown and surrounding neighborhoods to the public for free tours and viewings. The event this year took place Sept. 22-23 and featured museums, churches, gardens, hotels, federal and government buildings, office buildings and more. Many offered tours of the spaces and others were simply open to the public for unique experiences. 
As my due date was Sept. 23, we only went to one event – a tour of 88.9 Radio Milwaukee. Only a few blocks from our Third Ward condo, we made the walk over to the radio station, which has a Stone Creek Coffee, on Pittsburg Ave in Walker’s Point. In the main area downstairs where events, live music and speaking engagements are often held, videos were being played about various community initiatives taking place in the city like Habitat Hotels to provide a safe space for fish to thrive in the Milwaukee harbor. There are so many great projects like this happening in Milwaukee that we had no idea about so it was great to learn more about them.
After a few videos, it was time for the tour. Several tour guides took a big crowd of about 50 people through the building explaining the history of the station and current use of the space. We got to view the sound-proof recording studios, green room, employee workspace, lunch area where artists relax between live events, and the beautiful rooftop garden. The space is beautiful and filled with records, CDs and cool architecture like old doors made into tables and a kitchen backsplash filled with Wisconsin beer and soda bottle caps. The rooftop was our favorite part, with a garden, open space for events and big comfy patio furniture perfect for taking in the beautiful city view.
Hyde Park x Rivolt Accessories Fall/Winter Fashion Show
This month, we took part in the trendy Hyde Park x Rivolt Accessories Fall/Winter Fashion Show at my friend Sydney’s store, Hyde Park MKE, in Wauwatosa. A few times a year, they put on a fashion show featuring clothing and accessories for the season with local Milwaukee residents as models.
Sydney also ends each show with a piece she designed herself, which is always a show-stopper. This year for the first time, they invited local vendors to have booths at the show with items for purchase.
Our coasters and pint glasses are sold at Hyde Park and it was a great honor to be asked to have a display at the show. There were other local vendors in attendance as well, including Rivolt Accessories, Mia Stav cakes, My Bees Box, Philocoffia Coffee, Needle & Thread, and Olive & Eve. We had a great time viewing the new fall and winter fashions and meeting other local Milwaukee makers.
Riverwest Gardner’s Market
We love a good farmer’s market. There’s nothing better than wandering through beautiful flowers and fresh produce on a warm weekend morning. However, we haven’t stumbled across any Milwaukee-area farmer’s markets that we absolutely love (but if you know of one, leave it in the comments below!). I could be biased because after living in Madison for almost six years during and after college, nothing beats the Madison farmer’s market on the square. 
However, we found the Riverwest Gardener’s Market this month and had a great time. While very small, the produce was fresh and delicious, there were beautiful (and inexpensive!) flowers, and it’s held in a cute little area in Riverwest across from Black Huskey Brewing which is a great post-shopping stop for a cold brew or two.
The market runs each Sunday from 10 – 2 from June 3rd through October 21st so there’s still time this season to stop by and check it out. Located at 821 E. Locust St. in Garden Park, the market is also adjacent to the Riverwest Public House Cooperative Bar. Each week, they also have live music from a different local band so be sure to check out the lineup on their website.
When we visited, we snagged some fresh flowers, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and more.
Upcoming Events
We love doing craft fairs and maker’s markets and have several coming up this fall and winter we wanted to invite anyone and everyone to attend! Fall events are perfect for holiday shopping so check out the list below of upcoming events we’ll be attending with our products (more will be added soon!).
Gallery Night in the Historic Third Ward
What: A premier art event featuring local artists in various galleries and storefronts in Milwaukee
- Milwaukee Beer Gear will have a booth at local advertising agency, Hoffman York
When: Friday, October 19 from 5 – 9 pm
Where: Hoffman York, 200 N. Water Street
Milwaukee Maker’s Balzac Farmer’s Market
What: Farm and art market, fresh local produce, art, music and more
When: Sunday, October 28, 2018, 10 am – 3 pm
Where: N. Arlington Place and Brady Street
Third Branch Modern Holiday Market
What: Modern holiday market featuring a curated mix of Milwaukee brands
When: Saturday, December 8, timing TBD
Where: Third Branch Creative Studio, 133 Pittsburgh St., Suite 200 in Walker’s Point
Hope to see you all there!