Maple & Main

I guess we are no longer out of time.

Now, it appears that Downtown Waukesha is the happiest place on earth!

Cool.

Just so you know- I didn’t doctor this photo. If you drive by the clock tower in lot three downtown, this is what it looks like.

And it’s hysterical.

Situated on one of the more popular gateways to Waukesha’s Historic Downtown is a little eyesore with a big following.

For the three years I have traveled East Main Street, Fuzzy’s Pub and Grille (the “e” on “Grille” was their idea, not mine) has sat in various states of condition.

It once received a partial paint job that mimicked a desert scene of sorts, but the harsh elements of a Wisconsin winter took a toll on it within a few months.

Various other projects have crept into existence on this property as well over the years.

The leftovers of a summer “beach party” sand pit spill into the parking lot.

A large blue tarp situated on the east side of the property covers what is believed to be a tunnel dating back to a time early in Waukesha’s history. I have been told that further excavation is necessary to discover exactly what it is (enter Geraldo Rivera).

All in all, as Fuzzy’s stands today, it hardly fits the bill as a beauty mark on Downtown Waukesha’s Gateway.

Of course, one can argue that beauty is only skin deep- it’s what is on the inside that counts and we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

And Fuzzy’s definitely fits that bill.

That was until now.

Last month, plans of a Fuzzy’s facelift had surfaced. And, with a little tweaking from the Waukesha Plan Commission (I hear those guys are really hard headed), those plans may soon become a reality.

Fuzzy’s is on its way to joining a growing number of businesses that have begun shaping up their outsides to reflect the quality that is going on inside, all the while adding beauty to the face of the City.

These people realize that part of what makes a business successful is its appearance. A reputation can take your business only so far. Make it welcoming on the outside, and you will see a definite change for the better on the inside.

As one travels down Main Street, it is evident that a change is in the air. There are over a dozen new projects happening within the Business Improvement District alone. New construction is happening everywhere, and Downtown is beginning to see a different kind of revival.

It’s buildings, some historic, some not, are finally getting the attention they deserve. And it appears that this idea is edging it way out the Gateways of the city as well.

Are we on the verge of something good here?

Could be.

However, it is far too early to tell. Waukesha has a long way to go and a lot of work ahead of it.

But it is refreshing to see the City making progress.

The recipe for a vibrant downtown has many ingredients- these are the bits and pieces we are seeing right now.

New construction, restoration, historic preservation, and new business are all healthy parts to a dynamic City.

A new Waukesha is beginning to surface, and with a little dash of vision, this City could have a very bright future ahead of it.

It was 85 degrees in Waukehsa a few days ago.

Perhaps operations "upstairs" are not as high-tech as we all think.

Recently, an article appeared in a local paper that paints the downtown business district in a state of blight. Titled "Is downtown Waukesha losing its momentum", the article continues to list twenty one businesses that have closed in the downtown since 2006.

 There are nearly 300 businesses in the downtown area. Losing 21 over the course of a year hardly seems like an epidemic.

I own a business downtown, and it continues to thrive. But I suppose that doesn't make for an interesting news topic, so no one bothered to stop by for an interview.

So, while you're sitting around this morning enjoying a cup of joe and catching up on local events, I invite you to take a minute to play the following brain teaser.

Listed below are the businesses that have gone out since 2006 (as dutifully reported by Norm Bruce, owner of Martha Merrell's Books and, apparently, the spokesperson for all of downtown).

I have also included the reasons they left- in no particular order.

Can you match the business to the reason?

A.) ABC Hobby Shop                          1.) Condensed Business Operations
B.) Butcharts Flower Shop                   2.) Small kids at home
C.) Clothes for Kids                             3.) Who cares?
D.) Fermans Finds                              4.) Never open!!!
E.) Garden Gazebo                             5.) Didn't want to pay higher rent
F.) Gerrimains Gifts                             6.) Getting married         
G.) Golden Memories                           7.) Not enough nerds in Waukesha
H.) James Store Gallery                       8.) Shop name too pretentious for downtown
I.) Katavinchys                                     9.) Worst idea ever
J.) Katydids                                        10.) Stopped paying rent
K.) The Pepper Tree                            11.) All inventory over 10 years old
L.) Salvation Army                              12.) Sold the business
M.) Shoestring Home                          13.) Making way for new development
N.) Simply Elegant Bridal /Tuxedo        14.) Needed room to store washers and dryers
O.) Splendid Treasures                        15.) Never changed inventory
P.) Surplus Outlet                                16.) Store was too much work
Q.) Tillies Treasures                             17.) Still don't know what this business was
R.) Universal Comics                            18.) Retired
S.) Donut Shoppe                                 19.) Thought BID supplied customers
T.) Passport Point                                 20.) Personal problems
U.) T-Rex Pizza                                    21.) Yarn?

Good luck players!

The answers to this game will not be printed in next week's installment. Or ever.