1. Atomic Records
From 1985-2009, Atomic Records was the place to go to get your music fix. Bootlegs, imports, singles, live tracks, unreleased recordings–it was a music junkies heaven. On top of that, they would host in-store performances. It grew to be one of the best-known music stores in Milwaukee.
2. Touring The Big 3
A city doesn’t just gain a nickname like ‘Brew City’ without just cause. Housing big breweries like Schlitz, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and MillerCoors (which still calls Milwaukee home) is more than enough reason to give a city a nickname–and a sports team–centered on beer.
Gone, however, are the glory days of hopping on a bus and hopping from brewery to brewery, taking tours and sipping–ok maybe chugging–sample platters along the way.
3. Samson The Gorilla
Arguably one of the city’s most famous residents, Samson the gorilla passed away in 1981 but his fame has lived on well past that. From being in the Guinness book of world records to getting an exhibit dedicated to his memory, Samson was celebrated, and he is sorely missed.
4. The Purple South Side Landmark
Known simply as “The Purple House,” this building gained its name (and fame) from the purple exterior decorated with bumblebees, happy suns, and heart-shaped leaves. Though the house was torn down in 2010 and its former location is an empty lot, it lives on through the pieces that were donated to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore.
5. Node Café
Even though there are diners and other places open 24 hours, the atmosphere and caffeine levels just aren’t the same as Node Café. Fingers crossed that another café in Milwaukee braves the night hours soon. Until then, it’s best to remember fondly caffeinated nights that were fueled by Node.
6. The Not So Wicked Witch Of Milwaukee
Yes, it is technically located in Fox Point and not Milwaukee, but The Mary Nohl House is definitely an urban legend spread throughout the Milwaukee and metro areas. Mary Nohl transformed the family home into a living work of art, creating sculptures that lent to furthering the legends and look of the home belonging to a witch.
So go get your spooks in now, Milwaukee. The house and sculptures are being relocated to Sheboygan.
7. The Old Pizza Man
Pizza Man is such a local favorite that it was practically a landmark. When the original building (and attached apartments) burned down, many Milwaukeeans’ hearts sank. But now they can rejoice, as Pizza Man recently re-opened in a hipper space with a patio that remains true to its old space. Of course, some still long for the old Pizza Man and say it isn’t the same, but others love everything good that has come with the new location.
8. Sil’s Mini Donut Shop
While Sil’s did close, they still offer their donuts at festivals and the 7 Mile Fair… but Milwaukeeans know it’s not quite the same. But hey, at least you can still satisfy your craving, even if you have to wait longer than you would like.
9. Aladdin’s Castle
Finding your replacement go-to arcade has been tough since Aladdin’s Castle closed. Even though it was a chain arcade, that didn’t stop it from forming chains around your heart and drawing you back in time after time.
10. Getting The Weather Report From A Cat
There was nothing better than tuning into WITI-TV and watching Ward Allen and Albert the Alley Cat deliver the weather forecasts. Chances of rain never seemed as glum when they came from a puppet. It was even better if Albert was wearing a knit sweater made by someone you knew.
11. Going To Oriental To Get Your Drugs
Source: Instagram user myshirtrocks1
Drugs as in pharmaceuticals, that is. This corner drug store offered days of yesteryear, serving up shakes and fries at the lunch counter.
12. Skating In The Mayfair Mall
From skating in the ice rink to exploring the Bazaar, basically a mall within a mall sort of thing, there was no shortage of fun. How many malls have you been to with streams running the length of the mall full of happy little goldfish swimming along with you as you walked? Mayfair Mall still exists, but it s a bit more of a generic mall than it once was.
13. Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops
For more than seventy years in six locations, Harry Schwartz provided used and new books on all subjects. A local favorite, this location was iconic for it’s strong opposition to censorship. Though they closed down in 2009, many of the employees went on to open their own stores based on the same spirit of Harry W. Schwartz bookshops.
14. Bella’s Fat Cat
Bella’s Fat Cat was a great place to treat yourself to some fast food style burgers, fries and custard. Their turkey burgers were out of this world and they offered their burgers in various sizes. With a special of two burgers for $5, it’s easy to see why this place was a local favorite in all of their locations. Unfortunately, they closed and left a little burger shaped hole in the hearts of many Milwaukeeans.
15. The Kooky Cooky House
Source: Youtube user John Foust
In the sixties and seventies, around Christmas time, Capitol Court was home to a spectacular gingerbread factory called the Kooky Cooky House. Santa and his robot would press levers and buttons, setting in motion a unique gingerbread cookie factory line. Composed of boxing gloves, toy trucks, toy steam engines and more, it was truly a delight for children.
Once the Capitol Court was remodeled in ’78, the Kooky Cooky House just didn’t quite fit and went into storage. On that note…
16. Outdoor Capitol Court
Capitol Court Mall offered a truly unique shopping experience. Before the renovations in the late ‘70s, this mall had no roof. The exposed court lent itself to many seasonal displays, like the giant wooden egg that would appear in Easter.
However the most notable seasonal court appearance would be Funtown. A small amusement park on the north end of the parking lot, it was full of rides that children of all ages could enjoy.
17. The Stone Toad
Cheap Trick, Violent Femmes, and more once graced the stages at this notorious club that used to be located in downtown Milwaukee. Gone are the days of seeing live music here, as they’ve taken their final bow and closed for good.
18. Treasure Island
Maybe the zig-zag roof stands out in your memory or maybe it was writing the prices down on the items you were buying. Owned by JC Penny, this store was the equivalent (in the time) to an upscale Kmart.
19. Shopping At Schuster’s
Schuster’s was a local department store chain that opted out of a downtown location in favor of neighborhood stores. Though it merged in the ‘60s with Gimbels, Schuster’s may be most remembered not for their stores but for….
20. Billie The Brownie
Billie The Brownie was an elf who made his appearances a few weeks before Christmas. On the radio, Billie would chat with Santa about children’s behavior and would follow by reading the letters to Santa from local children. Billie the Brownie was a hit and was also used as a promotional spokesperson, er, spokeself, for the Schuster’s annual Christmas Parade.
21. The Love Rock (Read That Title To The Tune Of “The Love Boat”)
In the late ‘60s / early ‘70s a large rock, located about a half-mile off Bradford Beach, bore a message (quite fitting to the time period): Love. The landmark was demolished in ’86 citing a navigational hazard. Yet, as all good landmarks should be, Milwaukee’s Ale House has immortalized it in the form of a beer.
22. The Days Of “Crazy TV Lenny”
Source: Youtube
If you remember this: “Get a bike! Get a bike! Get a bike!”, then you remember Crazy TV Lenny. Though his business, American TV, was based in Madison, his advertisements ran on television and radio stations in the Milwaukee area. His salesmanship and charisma practically flew out of the television and left a lasting impression for sure.
23. Laughs On The Green
The Green Sheet was a section of the Milwaukee Journal that was printed on green paper. It contained comics, the crossword puzzle and other games, local stories, celebrity news and a definite favorite, the humorous satire column “Slightly Kloss Eyed.”
24. Century Hall
Maybe this place is most iconic for the tragic fire in 1988, but before its renovations in the ‘70s, this was the go-to bowling alley. Once renovated, it quickly became a favorite place to catch a live show. Especially since they held a wide variety of live music, with everything from reggae to rock gracing the stage.
25. Catching A Double Feature At The Grand Warner Theater
Though it was closed in 1995, this majestic theater is still an iconic site in downtown Milwaukee. From standing in line to catch the newest release to staying for a double feature, The Grand Warner Theater was the place to be. Since its closing, many have hoped for a revival and a trust has been formed.
26. The Underground Newspaper
“Kaleidoscope” was published for four years, around 105 issues total. Though it didn’t last very long, it did quickly gain notoriety through a court case, Kois V. Wisconsin, that led to a feature in “The Rolling Stone.” But don’t worry, if you want a glimpse into the counter culture movement of Milwaukee during that time period, the Central Library has it on microfilm.
27. Crazy Jim’s Demolition Derbies
Crazy Jim (his legal name, for those who need a refresher) had many used car dealerships throughout the city of Milwaukee. Crazy Jim was practically a demolition derby pioneer.
Before demolition derbies gained popularity, Crazy Jim would take old cars off his back lot and let his friends smash them. And Milwaukee was into it.
What do you miss in Milwaukee? Tell us in the comments below!
