Gage Marine Corp

The kids and I went on an afternoon ice cream social cruise on the Belle of the Lake. It cost us something like $11-$15 each (the kids were less than the adult fare). What a treat! This big yacht glided smoothly around the lake as the captain described to us all the historic homes and families who built them. Mid way around we were served dishes of ice cream and sodas. The kids went out on the deck to enjoy the view in the fresh air. This was such a pleasant experience that we can't wait to do it again when they re-open next year.

Bartz's The Party Store

I saw the first person's not-so-good review and my experience has been very different. Bartz has always had everything I needed to put on a great banquet and conference. Besides the tablecloths, napkins, balloons, placemarkers, centerpiece holders, etc., they have a great selection of ribbons (that I use on name badge holders to indicate a person's status as speaker, volunteer, chairperson, etc). Prices are reasonable, and if you need something ordered special, they are happy to do it.

Brady Street Futons

First off, the name of this store is wrong. It is Brady Street Futons, not Brady Saint Futons.

They have a great variety of futons, tables, chairs, and accessories to choose from. The service is great. Staff are available to assist you when you need them, but don't hover or make you feel pressured to make a decision so they can make a sale. I was able to customize my purchase by selecting a frame I liked from one futon display, a mattress I liked from another, and yet another cover. They delivered and set it up for me, and showed me how to open it flat and put it back to a sofa position. Prices range from the low end to the high end, depending on the type of frame and the thicknes of the mattress.

Papa's Bakery

This is a production bakery with a retail store attached. There is ample parking, which is a definite plus.

What I go for are the breads and rolls, which are delicious. I haven't tried the cakes and sweet stuff (I much prefer salty things), but I must say they look and smell wonderful. The people who work there are so friendly and they look really happy. That makes me feel really welcomed, so it's a place I enjoy shopping at.

Key Management Inc

They have lots of properties to choose from. Some vintage and some newer. I've lived in 1 of their newer buildings and 2 of their vintage buildings. The vintage buildings have issues with boilers, electricity, etc from time to time, as all vintage buildings do, but the management company is extremely responsive and always sends someone to assess the situation and fix it asap.

As long as you pay your rent on time you can ask for pretty much anything and it will be probably be approved (they allowed me to paint my bedroom walls mint green and remove the living room carpet in one apt, and they allowed me to have my own portable washer and dryer in another).

New To You Kids

Most of the stuff here is in very good condition and I've found some great buys. They will buy your child's clothes and toys that he/she has outgrown, but they only pay you about 1/4 or less of what it's worth. Then they mark it way up to resell it to someone else. I understand they have a business and they need to make a living, but some of the items they are selling are priced too high for being used items. However, you can find some super designer items in really good condition for less than you'd pay if you bought them new.

If you are just going to throw the stuff out or give it away, it's good to bring it here and get paid something for it that you can use toward purchasing something new for your child.

Paul Weise Furniture

This store has some of the most beautiful and unique wood furniture pieces I've seen. The upholstered pieces are absolutely PLUSH. And the fabrics are some of the most classy and elegant around. This is a place to go to treat yourself to heirloom quality furniture that you will want to live with forever. Of course, the prices reflect that, but it is well worth saving up for the best.

PROS: some of the best furniture made
CONS: parking issues -- it's the east side...

Educators Credit Union

I like being a member of the Educator's Credit Union. They offer free checking (absolutely free) with free checks, free online banking, free online bill paying, free transfers between accounts. The only drawback for me is that you can only make 5 transfers per month from savings to checking. I have my direct deposit go to savings and then transfer what I need to checking when I need it. So I have to switch my direct deposits to go to checking, then transfer some to savings and let it stay there untouched. Otherwise, this is a nice credit union with lots of branches in Milwaukee and Racine counties. They have all the usual deposit and loan options. You do have to either be in the education field, or have attended a college or university, or be a family member of another credit union member in order to open an account.

Dale R. Buettner, OD

This place has the same feel as Stein Optical, Lens Crafters, etc. You make an appt with the eye doc to get your eyes examined. Then you select your frames and they make your glasses. They take care of the insurance paperwork. Nice selection of frames (not outstanding, cool, hip or trendy, but nice). Prices are competitive, yet affordable.

PROS: convenient location & lots of parking available
CONS:

Two Men And A Truck

The guys with the truck arrived 2 1/2 hours later than my scheduled time, with no apology or explanation for the delay. Then they disappeared frequently. They'd carry a piece of furniture or a couple of boxes downstairs to the truck and I wouldn't see them for 15-20 minutes. I went looking for them but they weren't in the truck. I tried to call the office to report this but nobody answered. When they'd come back, I'd ask them what took them so long and they'd say they had to rest a bit because it was so hard on them going up and down the stairs. I told them that was their job and they just needed to do it because I was getting charged by the hour.

After 5 hours had passed, the movers said they were done and wanted to verify the address of the new apt. I gave it to them, but then I noticed they actually weren't done. There was still my desk, dining table and several boxes left to be moved. I told them to finish moving the rest of the stuff and they got an attitude. They tossed the boxes down the stairs. Then they dropped the desk and dining table over the balcony, breaking them into pieces. Then they dragged all the pieces to the dumpster and tossed them in. I made them take the pieces back out and load them in my car so I could file a claim.

When they got to my new place, they unloaded everything in 30 minutes flat and then told me I owed them an additional $400, based on the time it took them to move, PLUS THEIR TIP. These guys has some nerve. They told me I better come up with the cash, write a check or provide a credit card number, or they'd take all my stuff back into the truck. So I called the office again and this time I got someone, who gave me a much lower estimate of the additional cost (which was still way too much), and made an appointment to come see what was moved and the broken furniture. Eventually I got a refund for the extra unnecessary time and to replace my broken furniture.