Small Business Owners Invest in Communities

The owners of small businesses throughout the Metro Milwaukee area say it works for them to be part of the fabric of their communities.

Small businesses work for a strong community. The days of Henry Ford coming into a community to build a plant and hire 25,000 workers are gone. But the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well on a much smaller scale. From neighborhood diners and booksellers with a handful of employees to niche operations with dozens of employees, small business owners have found ways to be profitable while strengthening the community in which they operate. Paul Schueller, CEO and part owner of Franklin Energy Services in Port Washington, Wis. was an engineer for Wisconsin Natural Gas Company.  Schueller saw an opportunity and struck out on his own.  “It’s more cost effective for energy companies to find ways to improve energy efficiencies than to build …

• Photos (2)

Bowling Center Makes a Lane Change

Olympic Lanes, just outside of Greenfield, is now JB's on 41, and the revamped bowling center's grand opening is approaching.

JB’s on 41, a bowling center that offers a complete entertainment experience for bowlers of all experiences and ages, will host its Strikes for Tikes Grand Opening Celebration weekend Thursday, Nov. 29 through Saturday, Dec. 1, to showcase its nearly eight-month facelift after taking over the former Olympic Lanes, 4040 S. 27th St. “We can’t wait to show of all Milwaukee just what a special environment we’ve created for families and bowling fans alike with our renovations, said David Bardon, owner of JB’s on 41. Greenfield Patch caught up with Bardon for a Q&A about the new bowling experience and JB’s on 41’s grand opening weekend: Greenfield Patch: Tell us a little bit about your background. DB: I have been in the bowling business since …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (21)

20 Facebook Pages Greenfield Residents Should 'Like'

Check out some of the top Greenfield-centric pages available on Facebook.

The list is in no particular order:

• Photos (1)

Take Your Picture with Southridge Santa for a Price

Santa Claus is at Southridge. Families can choose from a number of photo packages.

As usual, Santa Claus is at Southridge Mall and for a price parents can take the kiddies to get a photo with the jolly man in red.  The company Santa Memories offers five packages. See prices below: Rudolph $45.99: (3) 5 x 7 portrait, (3) 4 x 6 portrait, (4) 3 1/2 x 5 portrait, (12) wallet, includes digital download online, plus $20 online credit Blitzen $32.99: (1) 5 x 7 portrait, includes digital download online, plus $10 online credit Comet $27.99: (1) 5 x 7 portrait, (1) 4 x 6 portrait, (2) 3 1/2 x 5 portrait, (4) wallet, plus $10 online credit Dasher $22.99: (1) 5 x 7 portrait, (2) 3 1/2 x 5 portrait, plus $5 online credit Santa's Special $39.99: Pick any four (1) 5 x 7, (2) 4 x 6, (2) 3 1/2 x 5, (8) wallet, includes digital download…

•  6 Comments
• Photos (1)

Nanook

8:58 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012

Yes - outside the ropes. One year we took a picture looking down on Santa and the child from the 2nd floor - it was one of the best shots we ever got - but you do need a decent optical zoom on your camera. We didn't know if it was allowed or not - rules be darned - my kid, great Santa - I'm taking the picture!   more ›

Strong Small Businesses Make Communities Better

Local business improvement district leaders say a thriving small business climate makes the whole community stronger, but it takes support from residents, the government and business owners to make things work.

Thriving businesses are one-third of a triumvirate of a vibrant community. “You need good schools, a quality housing stock and a solid commercial area,” said Tim Ryan, president of Shorewood’s Business Improvement District.  Ryan is invested in all three. He and his family live in Shorewood, his daughter goes to school in Shorewood and he is the president and owner of Harleys: The Store for Men on Oakland Avenue in Shorewood. Small businesses line the commercial corridor that runs east and west along Capital Drive and north and south along Oakland Avenue, Ryan said. “Unlike many small communities, our business district is spread out on two thoroughfares.” Small businesses, like Harleys, are invested in a community the way national chains …

•  8 Comments
• Photos (2)

David Tatarowicz

5:09 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012

@Ab Fab You make some very good points and more importantly ask some very good questions. I noted that Ryan said " thriving small businesses reduce the tax burden for homeowners and buoys home values." which is just not true. Property tax rates are the same for commercial property as it is for residential property. In Wisconsin, unlike some other states, the local communities get no share of the …   more ›

Garden Coming Soon to 76th and Layton?

The owner of Kopp's wants to make the southwest corner of the intersection into a meditation garden.

Kopp's Plans for Meditation Garden at Busy Intersection

It's the third plan the owner of the popular burger and frozen custard restaurant will submit to the city in the last six years.

The owner of Kopp’s Frozen Custard, already considered a top outdoor dining location in Greenfield, wants to spruce up a large “garden” area on the southwest corner of the intersection of 76th Street and West Layton Avenue. Karl Kopp wants to install anodized aluminum curved panels that are 6 feet high and 12 feet long along the north and east sides of the corner at the intersection, giving it an artistic, closed-off feel from the two busy thoroughfares. Large, illuminated glass artwork cubes would be placed between the panels as well. In April 2011, the city’s Planning Commission approved a proposal for a meditation garden at the corner that would have been enclosed by long metal tubes that were open to the interior of the garden to …

•  14 Comments
• Photos (1)

Bren

6:43 pm on Monday, November 12, 2012

I'd be interested to see the plan. I like the idea of illuminated glass cubes, these look great especially at night. It is a very busy intersection and very commercial. As long as we have to wait for the lights to change, an attractive view would be welcomed.   more ›

Printgraphix a 76th Street Mainstay

The locally owned print and design shop has been in business for 25 years, all on the busiest shopping corridor in the city.

The 76th Street shopping corridor has changed dramatically over the last 25 years. A quarter century will do that to an area. New buildings have been built. Stores have moved in and out. Restaurants have undergone facelifts. But one of very few constants over the last two and a half decades has been Bob and Margie Bugenhagen, owners of Printgraphix. For the last 20 years, the Bugenhagens’ typesetting, design and printing company has called 4749 S. 76th St. home, located virtually next door to Kopp's Frozen Custard at the intersection of 76th and Layton Avenue. Prior to that, Printgraphix was across the street in the office space currently occupied by Canada Drug. The Bugenhagens have been married for 30 years and have three children and …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)