Gary’s Pet Jungle

Gary’s Pet Jungle
2857 S. Howell Ave.
Owner: Gary Johnson
(414) 744-3338

1. What advantages do you offer your customers over chain pet stores?

We try to educate them on the animal to help them be able to be more successful in taking care of them. I’ve been in the industry for over 25 years, both retail and wholesale, so can therefore help people more with their questions.

2. What advice do you give people when they are looking for a pet?

How old is the person the pet is for? Then, what do you actually want? Some animals take more time and care, so fish or reptiles are easier for someone with more time restrictions.

3. What are the economic indicators that things are trending up or down in terms of what people buy or don’t buy at a pet store?

Normally people tend to spend more on pets in a poor economy because they don’t have the money for vacations and going out, so they are more apt to set up a fish tank or something else they can do at home.

4. Why did you decide to open a pet store?

My former boss at another store told me it wasn’t working out after 12 years of working for her, and fired me. Another employee of the store had previously suggested to me that I open a store in her storefront on Howell Avenue, so I did.

I like more different things myself, so I will sometimes order things just to see what it looks like. We will occasionally have things like freshwater lionfish, African butterflies, ropefish, and Goliath bird-eater tarantulas.

6. With so many types of animals, how do you keep your shop sanitary?

We spend a lot of the day cleaning and feeding. Bleach is used in cleaning all tanks, cages, and toys.

7. How long is an animal typically in your shop before it’s sold?

This is hard to say. Some have been sold within an hour of being here and some have been here a year or more.

8. Can customers return an animal to you if they find they can’t maintain it?

That is why we try to educate people before they take it home, so that that decision is made before taking the animal home. It is stressful for an animal, just like for a person, going to a new home, so we try not to practice this.

9. What are your favorite animals to
keep as pets?

I’ve had everything from ducks and chickens to horses, goats, fish, and snakes. I like animals, in general. They are good companions. I don’t think I could pick a favorite.

10. What is the most challenging aspect
of your business?

Remaining competitive with internet business.

Q10: The Cabinet Maker

The Cabinet Maker, LLC
9401 S. 13th St. Suite 200, Oak Creek, Wis.
John Phillips
(414) 238-7766
thecabinetmakerwi.com
john@thecabinetmakerwi.com

1. What kind of cabinets do you make with what sorts of materials?

Custom designed and built kitchen and bathroom cabinetry. The materials vary widely depending on customer desires. We work with common woods like red oak to exotics like Brazilian cherry. We also work with reclaimed materials as well as sustainable materials such as bamboo.

2. Do you only make cabinets? What spectrum of services do you provide?

We design and fabricate bars, built-in pieces like bookcases, fireplace mantels, and furniture from coffee and end tables to entertainment centers. We are also working on designs with retractable lift systems for large screen televisions that will lower the screen into a cabinet so it is out of the way when not in use.

3. How did you learn your craft?

Hanging out in my dad’s workshop as a kid and watching him work and shop classes in middle and high school. Many years of watching The New Yankee Workshop and a lot of trial and error learning about what not to do when building something. Various woodworking seminars and visiting many larger cabinet shops around the country and learning from their operations. Being an active member in the Cabinet Makers Association (CMA) has been a huge help for the business side.

4. What made you decide to make a career and business in woodworking?

I have been an avid woodworker for many years and always felt it would be impossible to pursue this passion and be profitable. After approximately 17 years in the mortgage business I realized I needed to do something more tangible and wanted to be able to use my creativity. Prior to starting The Cabinet Maker, officially in 2006, I was building rec room bars for friends and it just seemed to be a natural fit to make this a full-time business.

5. Do your customers know what they want? Do they make drawings for you? Show you photos? Do you work with their designer or decorator?

We are flexible to any situation. We can start from “I need a change” through “I have plans drawn-up.” I work directly with the consumer and with other professionals, including designers and architects, who have a plan in mind. We start out by making a list of likes and dislikes and develop a plan from there. Visuals from magazines or other sources help get us started.

6. What sustainable materials or practices do you utilize?

We offer sustainable product options like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) materials, bamboo, and beech, and we work with reclaimed materials as well as manufactured products. Our finishing process can be completed with low environmental impact or low VOC (volatile organic compound) materials. We also offer many options in waterborne finishes. Almost all of our cutting boards are made using recycled materials from prior jobs.

7. What are your favorite woods to work with? Why?

Cherry is one of my favorite woods because it machines well and has a beautiful grain. We are starting to work with German beech because of its versatility in machining and finishing. It has the ability to be finished to look like almost any wood.

8. How has your business changed over time?

Last year we rolled out our Express Cabinets line. This line allows us to help homeowners upgrade their kitchens and baths on a smaller budget. Our consultation and design process is the same for both product lines. We are opening a new showroom this month.

9. Do you think public middle and high school students are still being exposed to woodworking through shop classes? Do you think they’re still being introduced to your craft/trade as a possible vocation?

There is concern in the industry about a shortage of real craftsmanship being passed on to the next generation. Wood Links (woodlinks.com/USA/home.html) is a great program that is promoted through the manufacturing industry. It works with local high schools by outlining curriculum and sponsoring intern programs.

10. What advice would you give those who are considering purchasing custom cabinetry?

Custom cabinets and any home renovation can be a major investment. You will be looking at the finished project for a long time. It is critical that you choose the right contractor, someone you can trust, who listens to your needs, and who will deliver what is promised. They should also have the contacts with other reputable local contractors for a seamless job. Taking the time to plan properly at the beginning of the job saves money in the long run and ensures that communication and expectations from all parties are met.

Q10: The Soup Market

The Soup Market

• 2211 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
• David Jurena
• (414) 727-8462
• thesoupmarket.com
• davej@thesoupmarket.com

1. How did you fall in love with soup?

As a child, it was the only way I’d eat vegetables. Unfortunately, it all came out of a red can back then. It’s very comforting, especially when you’re sick. It’s the perfect meal.

2. What made you decide to open a soup restaurant in Bay View? Why did you think it would succeed?

Bay View was an area that we’ve always liked, and we actually looked at several spaces before deciding on our current location. We like this space because it’s really wide and has big windows, so we can see what’s happening outside. Honestly, when we started, our success was based on the rent being affordable, which it continues to be.

3. Do you make all your own soup? If so, where did you get your recipes?

All the soup is made in Bay View from scratch. Some of our stocks are made at our store downtown and our dumplings, wheat bread, and cookies are made at our Hales Corners location, but we make all of our own food. The recipes have been developed over the last dozen years or so, and the ideas come from everywhere. My grandmother’s meatloaf recipe is the inspiration behind our meatloaf-and-mashed-potato soup. I really love roasted vegetables as a snack, so I created the Vegan Roasted Vegetable Chili as a result.

4. What are some of your favorite cooking shows?

The only one I watch regularly is Good Eats with Alton Brown. I think he’s very interesting to watch and he’s very scientific, which I like. I’m more interested in his techniques, but he has great recipes, too. Giada De Laurentiis isn’t hard to look at, so I’ll watch her occasionally too.

5. What would you advise home cooks about making soup? What is the secret to making great soup?

Start with great stock, use the best products that you can afford, and take your time. It takes time to develop the proper flavor for many soups, and you can’t hurry that. Also, season things properly. It’s amazing what a little salt, pepper, hot sauce, or herbs can do for something.

6. What are the challenges of being primarily wholesale and catering? What percentage of your business is direct sales/retail?

Actually, it’s not really challenging at all. We designed this business on purpose to do both. Wholesale is like a great backbone for us. It gives us stability. Catering and boxed lunches are a great avenue. They provide us with great marketing and the ability to get our products in front of new people all the time. About 40 percent of our business is retail and the other 60 percent is split between wholesale, catering, farmers markets, and corporate events. We have several office buildings that we get to go into and set up a table over the lunch hour.

Other than getting bigger and adding more stores, the concept of fresh soup has remained pretty constant. I’d like to think we’ve evolved/matured/aged well over the last six years, but I really hope that we’ve satisfied our customers and given them a reason to continue to support us.

8. What would make Bay View a better environment for your business?

That’s tough question. I can’t think of anything. It’s been very supportive. Maybe just having more businesses in the area would bring us more customers, but that’s more a circumstance of the current economy.

9. When did you open the Public Market store? The new one in Hales Corners? Bay View?

The downtown location opened in October 2006, and we’ve been open in Hales Corners for just over a year. Bay View was established in February 2004; prior to us, the building housed the old Big Beer Bar. We’ll be opening more in 2010.

10. What do you like best about the work you do/your business?

I love the fact that I can have a restaurant career but still have a normal life. Because I can do our production during the day, I’m able to go to all my kids’ school events, plays, concerts, etc. That would be impossible if I worked at a restaurant that had late night hours. Balance is very important to me. I also really like our customers and our employees. They really make it worthwhile.

Q10: Excel Printing

Excel Printing, Inc.
3374 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Stacy & Debbie Leszczynski
(414) 769-6950
dfraser@wi.rr.com

1. What type of printing do you do? What types of printing projects do you do?

We offer a variety of services. We do digital and offset multicolor printing. Typesetting and design. Bindery and finishing. Our range includes letterhead, envelopes, and business cards to raffle tickets, carbonless forms, brochures, newsletters, custom wedding invitations, and menus. We also offer black-and-white copies and a fax service.

2. Was the building always a combined storefront and home?

As far as we know, yes. The former owner had a business here called Chic Hosiery Shop. The daughter was here a few years back. We had questions. She gave us answers. Part of our lobby was actually her bedroom and the other part was a small shop.

3. How did you get started in the print trade? How did you learn your trade?

My high school math teacher suggested I take the printing course at Pulaski High School in 1975. After high school, I worked at three different local printing companies before opening Excel Printing in 1989.

4. What is unique about your service?

Extremely personalized service. You always work with an owner on any order.

5. What do you like most about digital era printing? What do you miss about the old analog era of print technology?

Digital-speed and accuracy. Analog-the challenge of creating and completing jobs from scratch.

6. There are many empty storefronts in Bay View. What do you think it will take to bring more businesses to the vacant storefronts on KK, Delaware, Howell?

Tax incentives for people starting small businesses, better parking arrangements, services that people need to stay in the community.

7. What do you like most about being in business?

Controlling our own destiny, being able to grow along with our customers.

8. How do you market your business? What methods work best for you?

Initially we did door-to-door advertising with business cards, notepads, and pens. But our best advertising is word-of-mouth and the company truck with our signs all over it. People have followed me back to the shop after sitting behind me at the bank or a red light.

9. If you could change anything about the Bay View business environment, what would that be?

I would suggest a business association with all business owners, whether it be a storefront or a home-based business, not just a select few.

10. What is the most common mistake customers make when they prepare jobs for you?

They create something on their screen and it looks great, but it’s just not printable. It might be oversize or maybe the margins are off. My suggestion would be to design the project first and then bring it to us for a proof before printing. Then we can help them with alternatives and solutions for their finished product.

Q10: Threadworks

Threadworks
2898 S. Delaware Ave.
Jay Fryjoff & Tracy Hoernke
(414) 483-5306

1. What does Threadworks do?

Provides customers with embroidered and screenprinted apparel and accessories. Clients may also bring in their own items for embroidery.

2. How long have you been in business? What has changed over that time? What has stayed the same?

Established in 1988. Through these 21 years, changes in our technologies and internet communications have allowed us to demonstrate our capabilities via email. What has stayed the same is our dedication to customer satisfaction.

3. How many employees do you have? Are they local?

We have three employees. All are Bay View natives and family members. Owners are Jay Fryjoff and Tracy Hoernke, brother and sister. Employed to run our digitizing department is Ronda Fryjoff.

4. Who are some of your larger clients/customers?

General Mills, Paul Davis, Discovery World, St. Thomas More High School, South Shore Yacht Club, Bay View High School, Apple A Day Massage.

5. How much of your business is web-based?

While we are in constant communication with our clients via email, we do not run operations via website. It is best to conduct business face to face.

Color trends and alternate logo placements have expanded creativity.

7. How do most customers hear about your business?

Positive recommendations of those who know us. Word-of-mouth.

8. How much of your business is new business?

We welcome new clients on a daily basis.

9. Describe the history of Threadworks-how did it come to be what and where it is.

Started in 1988 by Bay View natives Terry and Tom Fryjoff out of their Wentworth Avenue home, then onto KK for 10 years, and now on the corner of Delaware and Rusk where we operate today.

10. What would you change about Bay View?

We love Bay View! We have many loyal clientele from our community. As we primarily purchase from Bay View businesses, we wish those Bay View businesses would come to Bay View Threadworks for their embroidery and screenprinted projects.

Q10: South Shore Gallery & Framing

South Shore Gallery & Framing
2627 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Shelly La Londe
(414) 481-1820
southshoregalleryandframing.com
shellylalonde@email.com

1. What do you frame?

I frame anything that is not alive and will not rot under glass. Some of the more noteworthy things have been a seven-foot, four-panel world map puzzle; an African death club (a collector’s item); a conch shell; and a Halloween-house cookie, which was carefully sealed. I will frame pretty much anything within reason.

2. What is the focus of your gallery?

The focus of my shop is archival custom framing and community-based Gallery Nights to showcase local arts.

3. How often do you show?

I usually show every Galley Night. We always have a great reception.

4. How did you learn to run a business?

I come from a family of self-taught business people, from a family concrete business-my last name is stamped in concrete all over Bay View-to interior design to real estate. In this economy creative marketing helps too.

5. What inspired you to do school shows?

After 12 years of business I decided to dedicate some time to giving back to schools and their art programs. I sponsor local schools and sell the students’ work. Half of the proceeds go to the student and half to the school’s art program. I benefit from the exposure and have a great time doing it. This also teaches students and budding artists the business of art and how to display their work. Some of the best times I have as a businessperson are sharing this love of the creative process with kids and their families. I loved the arts as a child and now realize that schools are cutting funding, especially in the arts. This is my small way of giving back to a community that has helped sustain my business for years. There has been an influx of new families here and this is also a grassroots way to introduce myself to people with children. I want to help support the effort to keep the arts alive, no matter how small a contribution I make. The shows I have with the schools are some of the most successful ever; the attendance is great and everybody leaves very happy-it is a real family affair.

6. What do you like most about your business?

I love the independence that I have and I love the people I work with. I really believe that Bay View is one of the best places to live and work. It challenges most businesses, but it is a place that you will meet the most sincere and real people who care about their community. I know it is my core customer base that keeps me in business-and keeps me wanting to give them the best product I can. My favorite thing is to hear someone is really pleased with their piece and knowing that makes me feel I am doing the right thing. I think people know I will give them what they want and stand behind the work I do. There is something very satisfying about creating something beautiful and functional and making someone happy.

7. What is most challenging about your business?

I would say the most challenging thing about my business is the current economy. I have needed to create a greater online presence and to be creative with marketing my store, like producing a series of south shore prints, offering print services, and sponsoring giveaways. Fortunately, SSG&F is on solid ground, but I have watched numerous stores go out of business in the last few years and now am actually benefiting from the lack of framers in the area. I am a single mom and always have been; that is always challenging since I am sole provider and run an online natural skincare website as well. As much work as all of this has been, my business is ideal for me and I feel very fortunate to still be working at it.

8. What would make Bay View better for business?

I think that Bay View is really on its way to something good. I see a transition that is healthy and gaining momentum. It may take a little longer on this side of town but that is okay. The pedestrian traffic is up, as far as I can see, and there are new faces everywhere. I guess a working business association that can stay in place long enough to help with business promotion and recruitment would be great-and slowing traffic down on KK would be helpful. People fly by my store and there are quite a few accidents at this stretch of KK.

9. Is parking a problem?

Not so much for me since I am at the tail end of the business district in this area. I have parking toward St. Lucas and across the street and around the corner on Potter Avenue. Not many people have complained about the parking.

10. What can people find at your store that they can’t find anywhere else?

I have a great selection of frames from over 40 different vendors and I have a frame and print finding service. I provide quality conservation framing at a reasonable price and offer design services, hanging, and delivery services free of charge. I offer beautiful images of the Milwaukee area produced and sold exclusively at SSG&F. I take time with people and offer a great casual atmosphere to make people feel comfortable when they come in. I also have Theodore and MaxLuv to greet people who want a little puppy love and I have what anyone needs to create a great piece of artwork ready to hang.

See photos of some of the student shows at southshoregalleryandframing.com.

Q10: Lee’s Luxury Lounge

Lee’s Luxury Lounge
2988 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Deanne Wecker
(414) 481-2080
leesluxurylounge@gmail.com

1. How did you come up with the name?

My former business partner named it after her Grandma Lee who was a Bay View resident back in the day. Now we have a (deer) buck head on the wall that the bar staff has decided is Lee.

2. How would you describe the spirit of Lee’s Luxury Lounge?

1950s kitsch meets your dad’s 1970s den.

3. The exterior of the lounge has a ’50s feel about it. Did that aspect of it appeal to you and influence your decision to purchase it? Did you inherit the interior décor or did you decorate it?

I did like the idea of having a place that was a little unassuming on the outside but warm, fun, and inviting on the inside. The paneling was there when I got the space (established June 2004; previously Maynard’s Sports Connection) but I’ve made a lot of changes in the last five years. The bison mural by local artist Amy O’Neill is one of my proudest additions.  »Read more

Q10: Bay View Bowl

Bay View Bowl
2416 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Mike and Andrea Kosinski
(414) 483-0950

1. What is the best part of owning a bowling alley business?

The hours and dealing with all kinds of people, and during bowling season, having the same people every week.

2. What is the most challenging?

Trying to find the newest trends and keeping up with them (music, lighting). Also keeping our wood lanes in good condition.

3. Do you think you’ll see an increase in bowling when the smoking ban takes effect next year?

It’s hard to tell right now. We hope it will bring more people with families.

4. How many lanes do you have?

Twelve lanes, eight with built-in bumpers for children.  »Read more

Q10: Bay View Historical Society

Bay View Historical Society
The Beulah Brinton House,
2590 S. Superior St.
Kathy Mulvey, president
(414) 744-0408
housamulvey@yahoo.com
bayviewhistoricalsociety.org

1. When was BVHS established? By whom?

BVHS was organized in fall of 1979, and incorporated as a member of the Wisconsin Historical Society in May of 1983. Paul Kohlbeck and Audrey Quinsey were the founders, and we have about 40 charter members, many of whom are still active.

2. Why should local history be preserved?

We can only truly know ourselves when we know where we came from and how we got to be the way we are. Knowing about all the people and institutions that grew into Bay View prevents us from thinking that we here today are the center of the universe and helps us to move forward with respect and confidence.  »Read more

Gyros stand

The Gyros Stand

1110 E. Oklahoma Ave.

Tim Nassiopoulos

(414) 747-1103

1. What made you decide to open a gyros and custard stand?

I’ve been working in the restaurant business since I was 12 years old. I thought Bay View was a good area to open this kind of restaurant.

2. Is your business a family business? If so, what members of your family work in the business and what do they do?

This is a family-operated business. My mother Effie helps me with the day-to-day operations. She is also responsible for all the Greek dishes on our menu.

3. How would you describe your menu?

A mixture of Greek and American dishes. Gyros, spanakopita, stuffed grape leaves, jumbo burgers, frozen custard.  »Read more

Corner Market

Corner Market
3600 S. Clement Ave.
Matt Wyland
(414) 744-7580

1. What did you do before opening the store? Why did you decide to go into the convenience store business?

I worked at a convenience store in the Milwaukee area. The gentleman I worked for taught me a lot about the business and I have always enjoyed it.

2. Did you grow up in the store’s neighborhood?

No, I have always lived in southeast Wisconsin.

3. Why do you sell two pounds of Badger ham instead of one for your Sunday special?

The honey-baked Badger ham special I have is a great value because you get two pounds of hot honey-baked ham, a dozen rolls, a pound of potato salad, and any two-liter soda for $14.99.  »Read more

The Elumenati, LLC

The Elumenati, LLC

D’nardo Colucci
elumenati.com
info@elumenati.com

1. What is the nature of your business? How did you get your start?

The Elumenati make immersive projection environments ranging from a Precambrian sea exhibit at The Field Museum, to a floating digital planet for Cirque du Soleil’s Zaia show, to our own products called GeoDomes, which are portable dome theaters for immersive education. We build virtual reality environments using digital projectors instead of head-mounted displays.

2. How did you and your business come to be in Bay View? Why is your design studio in North Carolina?

Answering second question first…

The Elumenati formed with two partners: me, D’nardo Colucci, based in Minneapolis at the time, and David McConville who is based in Asheville, N.C. The company is divided along each of our strengths. David brings video production and visualization skills to the table while I’m the optical and systems engineer. The studio (Asheville) is where the content displayed in our domes is created and the lab (Bay View) is where the systems are designed and built. There is, of course, a ton of overlap as we are only a 10-person company. »Read more

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