Renaissance Books
This store is legendary, a huge warehouse with 5 floors filled with half-a-million used books. The place is a dingy, it might look closed even if its not. The sections are clearly marked, though, and prices are reasonable.
Sky High
Is a skateshop in Bayview with a changing selection of Milwaukee-related gear and attire.
Sparrow Collective
Formerly Fasten Collective offered local designers an outlet for their work, now its been remade and is called Sparrow Collective, but still offers up Milwaukee- and Mid-west-made jewelry and clothing.
Rushmor Records
One of the best remaining record stores in the city, located in Bayview. The folks there know their stuff and know what’s going on in Milwaukee, as well.
Shag
Design your own shirt or let them fix you up with a Milwaukee design.
Woodland Pattern
A nice bookstore specializing in poetry and local authors.
Fischberger Variety
A nice variety of useful and gift items.
East Side
Grand Avenue Mall
This Downtown mall is worth a visit. It features and eclectic array of shops that sell clothing and handy trinkets that easily fit in your luggage. There is also plenty of Milwaukee-related stuff for sale, especially at Brew City (http://www.brewcityonline...).
George Watt's
One of Milwaukee's remaining elitist stores. Fine enough for the capitans of industry, its a very interesting place to stop in for tea.
Boswell Books
A professional independent bookshop with a great selection and especially good reccomendations.
The Tool Shed
Is a sleaze-free sex shop that is all about everyone being comfortable and well understood.
Riverwest
Alternative Economies
The Cream City was once ruled by socialists, the only city in the United States to have ever been socialist. The city has a strong labor union network, organized due to poor treatment of the massive amount of industry workers. Today, unions remain very controversial and are constantly given as a reason businesses outsource or move production out of state. Recently collectivism has gained steam and provides a very unique style of running things. Local collectives include the artists of Borg Ward, designers at Sparrow Collective, Brewing Grounds for Change Coffee, as well as several food-coops like the Riverwest Coop.
Milwaukee is one of the best places to get products made in Wisconsin. From fine food to Harley Davidson Motorcycles, Milwaukee offers amazing variety and quality for very reasonable prices.
Several Shopping Malls are located outside of the city. There are a few shopping areas including the Third Ward and the East Side around Prospect and North or Brady St as well as other shops of assorted types across the city.
Downtown/Third Ward
Lotus Land Records
Specialize in crazy rare and exciting black music.
Bayview
DeLind Gallery of Fine Art
At DeLind Gallery of Fine Art you’ll find a continually changing collection of outstanding art, from the best local and regional talents to the internationally and historically known greats. On occasion, you may find original drawings by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, paintings and drawings by the Pissarro family, a pastel by Childe Hassam, lithographs and etchings by Pablo Picasso and James A.M. Whistler, drawings and posters by Jules Cheret and a large collection of vintage posters, Barbizon, Plein Air and Post Impressionist paintings, lithographs and etchings by Matisse, Cezanne, Rembrandt, Bonnard and Renoir and sculpture by Frederick Hart, Dennis Heimbach and the ever popular "Beasties" by Dennis Pearson.
Food
Milwaukee Public Market
Located in the third ward, is an indoor market selling produce, seafood, meats, cheeses, vegetables, candies, and flowers from local businesses.
Farmers' Markets
(http://onmilwaukee.com/se...) are located throughout the city in summer and fall.
Sendik's
Is the name used by three separate local chains of grocery stores. they all feature a decent selection of local and imported fine foods. check out the neighborhood store at 2643 n downer ave (http://www.sendiks.com/).
Many visitors enjoying taking some food or other consumables with them when they leave. Wisconsin cheese, locally roasted coffee especially from Alterra or Anodyne, and micro-brews are the most popular treasures. Ginseng and even El Rey Mexican products are common souvenirs.
A famous sausage butcher located Downtown on Old World Third Street. The shop is decorated with murals featuring a rhyming German ferry tale and the products are high-quality.
Locally made
Harley Davidson
Motorcycles of course have several plants in and around milwaukee, and many more retail stores. notables include the house of harley on layton ave in greenfield, hal's harley in new berlin, wisconsin harley in oconomowoc, and many other dealers.
Bicycles
From milwaukee bicycle, trek, schwinn, and other local builders are available in huge selection and often cheaper than elsewhere.
Koss Sterophones
Although they aren't actually made in Milwaukee anymore, Koss is still headquartered here. They have an odd little outlet store and customer service center bring in your broken Koss headphones for a free replacement, they're all under lifetime warranty.