Every Friday, Off The Record looks to other Milwaukee publications (and beyond) for bits of news we missed throughout the week.
• There’s never any shortage of talk about how Milwaukee can better market itself to the rest of the country. But what about marketing itself to the rest of Wisconsin? In a time when many folks living outside city limits view Milwaukee as a drain on the state and/or a hellish Thunderdome, mayor Tom Barrett is launching a “charm offensive” to convince everyone to hate us a little less. “We’re going to be going on a factual offensive to begin the conversation that dispels this old stereotype that somehow the city is a drain on the state,” Barrett said Monday. “It’s a new year, a new start. Let’s get out there and tell our story. It’s a very positive approach.” [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• In “you can’t build some new shit without knocking down some old shit” news, crews demolished the clock tower of the underused Downtown Transit Center last weekend. The 44-story, $122 million Couture development will be built on the site. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Last week’s “buy a foreclosed Sherman Park house for $1” developer deal turned into something of a shit-show when a bunch of folks who weren’t developers showed up to a City Hall meeting. What went wrong? Did the media screw up? Is the program flawed? [Urban Milwaukee]
• Nomad World Pub is expanding to Madison. The Madison Nomad will take over the Cardinal Bar on Wilson Street. Nomad 2.0 is expected to open in mid-March. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• What’s the deal with Milwaukee’s iconic address tiles? You know, those little ceramic tiles still found on many Milwaukee homes and businesses? Turns out they have quite a little story. [WUWM]
• What’s the deal with Milwaukee bar dice? You know, the ubiquitous game that seems to have different rules depending on which side of town you’re on? Turns out it has quite a little story. [WUWM]
• Boston Store is extending its lease with the Shops of Grand Avenue until at least 2028! [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Boston Store parent company The Bon-Ton Company had a bad holiday season! [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Critically adored Evanston, Illinois rapper Kweku Collins thinks people should listen to critically adored Milwaukee, Wisconsin rapper WebsterX. [Pitchfork]
• GGOOLLDD, Platinum Boys, and Brett Newski will be playing official showcases at this year’s South By Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas. [88Nine RadioMilwaukee]
• Ahead of next week’s Tribe UNCOVERED show at Turner Hall, show curator Klassik spoke to Sahan Jayasuriya for the Explain podcast. [Explain]
• Ahead of next week’s Tribe UNCOVERED show at Turner Hall, show curator Klassik performed for the Hear Here Presents music video series. [YouTube]
• A new exhibit titled “Melodies and Memories: 200 Years of Milwaukee Music” opened at the Milwaukee County Historical Society. [OnMilwaukee]
• Margaret Rozga, “poet, civil rights activist and professor emerita of English at UW-Waukesha,” wrote a lovely tribute to downtown’s Central Library. Writes Rozga:
“Whenever I go to a Milwaukee Public Library, especially the Central Library, I allow extra time to savor the ambience. I usually find myself reaching for my cell phone to take a picture of yet another beautiful corner, wall, fixture or display I hadn’t noticed before. For all my love of what the Milwaukee Public Library is and does, I appreciate it for another reason as well. Every inch of its beauty speaks of government that makes the common good a top priority. May this continue to be the philosophy that governs Milwaukee.” [Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service]
• If there’s one thing people love about Toppers Pizza, it’s dining in. No? Just us? Anyway, Toppers has been rolling out a new store design dubbed the Toppers Show Kitchen. The new concept landed in Milwaukee three months ago. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• In more pizza news, Monster Pizza MKE opened this week on Oakland Avenue, in the former site of SoLo Pizza. [OnMilwaukee]
• Lisa Gatewood talked about her latest EP, When It’s The End, You Feel It In Your Bones. [OnMilwaukee]
• Piet Levy released his list of “5 Wisconsin bands to watch in 2017.” This year’s list includes Milo, Dead Horses, and Soul Low. [Tap Milwaukee]
• Rockford’s Blue Water Grill—which, yes, takes its name from The Rockford Files—will be opening up on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive this spring, in the former site of Ja’Stacy Restaurant. [OnMilwaukee]
• Dorsia—which, yes, takes its name from American Psycho—will be opening up on Brady Street this spring, in the former site of Mimma’s Cafe. [OnMilwaukee]
• Evan Rytlewski talked to members of Milwaukee “slowcore” outfit Haunter. [Shepherd Express]
• El-Shareef released a new song and video, “Benjamins Talk.” [Shepherd Express]
• Junior’s Custard is closed! [OnMilwaukee]
• The Shops of Grand Avenue location of teen fashion retailer Underground by Journeys is closed! [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• FreshFin Poke is open! [OnMilwaukee]
• Have a great weekend, Milwaukee!