Every Friday, Off The Record looks to other Milwaukee publications (and beyond) for bits of news we missed throughout the week.
• Summerfest 2017 is over and the numbers are in: 831,769 people enjoyed the Big Gig this year, an increase of 3.4% over last year. Summerfest 50 was the festival’s biggest installment since 2014, which saw 851,879 people enjoy some live music, beer, and cigar smoke. Also, Jimmy Kimmel was involved this year for some reason. [Shepherd Express]
• Verizon data use at Summerfest was up, too, 82% from last year. Heavy usage occurred during the Steve Aoki show June 29, The Chainsmokers show July 4, and, um The LoveMonkeys show July 8. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Oh, and one more thing: Sorry, Summerfest, but Red Lobster can continue using the phrase “Lobster and Shrimp Summerfest” in its promotions…for now. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Last Sunday, at 3:06 p.m., a private Foxconn jet landed at Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport. Will Foxconn indeed build a $7 billion plant in Wisconsin? Maybe! [Urban Milwaukee]
• …especially if we offer them billions of dollars in tax credits! [BizTimes]
• Milwaukee’s Guerrilla Ghost released a new three-song EP, Those, and it’s a genre-mash-up scorcher. [Bandcamp]
• Miss Molly’s Cafe & Bakery, at 9201 W. Center St., will open to the public July 22. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
• Bay View’s South Shore Park is the proud owner of $3.7 million in new upgrades. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• The Blood Is At The Doorstep, the Erik Ljung-directed documentary on the family of Dontre Hamilton, will be the centerpiece screening at this year’s Milwaukee Film Festival. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
• Stone Creek Coffee was given the go-ahead from the city’s Historic Preservation Commission to build a new location on Downer Avenue. The Downer Stone Creek is expected to open “right around the first of the year.” [Urban Milwaukee]
• “Could bike trails help connect Milwaukee’s poorer neighborhoods to jobs, education and essential services?” That’s the question posed by a new study titled “Reconnecting Milwaukee,” which sheds light on biking inequalities. [Urban Milwaukee]
• Speaking of bikes, Riverwest is set to get Milwaukee’s first “bike boulevards.” [Urban Milwaukee]
• Have a great weekend, Milwaukee!