Top Shelf Guitar

1. Did you open the shop from the start or purchase the business?

I opened the shop from the start in May 2003 in what used to be a tattoo shop.

2. Why did you focus your business on guitars?

I’m a guitar player myself and have worked on instruments at other stores in town. I figured, Why not open my own place?

3. Do you sell acoustic and electric?

We sell acoustic, electric, basses, amplifiers, and accessories.

4. Do you sell other stringed instruments?

We stock ukuleles in addition to guitars and basses. We do sell the occasional banjo or mandolin.

5. Do you play guitar?

I’ve been playing guitar for 31 years. I started in high school at Thomas More where I was in a traveling jazz ensemble and never stopped playing. I do a hundred shows a year with the Five Card Studs.

6. Which guitarists to do you admire? Which guitars?

Any guitar player from the British Invasion. Guitars—American-made: older Fenders, Gibsons, Rickenbackers, Gretsches. Guitars that are my age.

7. What other services or merchandise do you provide? Do you do repairs?

Full and complete guitar repair, amplifier repair, and lessons. Our bread and butter is repairs.

8. Do you do instrument set-ups?

Yes.

9. What are some good starter guitars for beginners?

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a decent guitar these days. Many of our used instruments are set up before they are hung on the wall and play better than some new instruments that were never set up.

10. Does Top Shelf Guitar provide lessons?

I have two very qualified teachers, Todd Richards and Will Branch, who will teach students ages 5-105.

2358 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Jeff Benske
(414) 481-8677
topshelfguitars@sbcglobal.net
topshelfguitarshop.com

Bay View’s bookbindery will soon close, but here is their profile

Brother and sister Bob Hertzberg and Nancy Mack pose by the mountain of paste in their bindery at 347 E. Ward St. since 1974. They plan to close the business and retire at the end of 2011. ~photo Michael Timm

1. What sorts of publications do you bind at Wisconsin Book Bindery? For whom?

All kinds of books, periodicals, Bibles.

 2. For whom?

We’ve done newspapers for schools. We’ve bound material for businesses; professionals, like doctors; and individuals, including students publishing their thesis. We also have rebound many textbooks for suburban schools.

 3. What types of book stock do you bind? Hardcover, paperback?

We do hardcover binding.

 4. What types of bindings do you do?

Nearly everything is oversewn. Some items need to be hand-sewn due to size.

5. Do you do any cloth binding? Leather?

We used to use leather. Recently, though, it has been imitation leather and a material called buckram. Our family business actually has an antecedent in Chicago, Arthur Hertzberg & Craftsmen, which bound leather books and crafted other leather objects like wastepaper baskets.

6. How many employees do you have?

Three part-time. At one point we had 12 working for us.

7. When and where did you start your business? How did you select your location?

My father started in 1957 at 229 E. Mineral St. in Milwaukee. My sister and I are fourth-generation. In 1974 we moved to 347 E. Ward St.

8. What impact have you felt from ebooks and electronic publishing?

It has been devastating and is one of the many reasons we are closing. We’re referring clients to the family-operated Grimm Book Bindery in Madison.

9. Why did you decide to open a bookbindery?

My family has been involved for years. In 1957 my father came up from Chicago to start Wisconsin Book Bindery.

10. Do you work directly with individuals who might want to bind a family history in a press run of 100 books or less?

Yes, we have done many family histories.

Wisconsin Book Bindery, Inc.

Nancy Mack

347 E. Ward St.

(414) 482-3630

Bay View Books & Music

Bill Frickensmith owns Bay View Books & Music at 2653 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., in the space formerly occupied by Matamoros Jiu-Jitsu. Frickensmith and Dan Dehling pose in the children’s section of their bookstore. On the stepladder, Frickensmith holds Alvin & the Chipmunks; in front, Dehling holds Organ Grinder’s Circus. ~photo Michael Timm

1. Where was your business located before you moved to Bay View?

We started in Riverwest in 1988, then Prospect Mall, and then Cudahy.

2. What caused you to get into the used books trade?

Love of books. And Dan’s experience with running rummage sales. Dan’s been selling things since he was 5 years old.

3. Do you find that there’s an upsurge in people’s interest in and purchase of vinyl 45s and LPs?

Yes. They are making a huge comeback and are the majority of our in-store sales.

4. From where do you acquire your inventory?

Estate sales, house calls, customer drop-offs, and an assortment of friends who sell on consignment.

5. What do you think about electronic books? How are they affecting your business and our culture?

They are telling us that it is the future, but they also said the same thing about CDs.

6. Have people followed you from your previous location on the east side of KK to your current location on the west side?

Yes, many have.

7. Who are some of your favorite authors? What are you currently reading?

Robert Heinlein, Ray Bradbury, Howard Zinn, Noam Chomsky, Charles Dickens, Philip K. Dick.

8. What is the most unusual book title you’ve had in your inventory?

Topplistan: The Official Swedish Single & Album Charts.

9. What are some of your favorite bookstores that you’ve frequented?

Renaissance, Constant Reader, Martha Merrell’s, DCS Trading.

10. What is the most rare or valuable book in your inventory?

It was a signed first edition of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?, which sold for $1,000.

Bay View Books & Music

Bill Frickensmith & Dan Dehling

2653 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

abebooks.com/home/RECYCLED/

badgervinyl@yahoo.com

Bay View Neighborhood Association

Bay View and other south-side residents relax and enjoy the first week of Chill on the Hill, a weekly concert series in Humboldt Park coordinated by the Bay View Neighborhood Association. ~photo Veronica Rusnak

1. How many members do you have? How many do you want?

We have about 350 dues-paying members. It’s part of our mission to encourage informed and active citizenship, so it’s hard to imagine “too many.”

2. Why was BVNA formed? How do you define the geography of Bay View?

The BVNA was founded in 2004 to promote the welfare and livability of our community by serving as a voice for our common interests. Bay View has traditionally been defined as the area bound by Bay Street on the north, Morgan Avenue on the south, and from east to west by the lake and Howell Avenue. For what we do, it’s the entire 53207 Zip Code.

3. Why should people support BVNA with membership?

Largely for the same reasons that someone should, for example, join public television or buy a subscription to the Compass rather than picking one up anywhere along Kinnickinnic Avenue.

4. How does BVNA communicate with members? With nonmembers?

In addition to our website, quarterly membership meetings, and old-school post office box, we use both print and social media. You can also access our Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr pages through bayviewneighborhood.org.

5. What are some yet-to-be-realized accomplishments of BVNA?

Last fall the BVNA made significant leadership changes, and with that came a change of focus in the way we expend our energies and resources. Most people know us for the events we sponsor, and while we’ll continue to do those things, they are evolving to serve a broader purpose than mere entertainment. We want our activities to have both a longer-lasting and wider-ranging impact than they have had in the past, and that includes supporting—financially and otherwise—the efforts of other Bay View organizations.

6. Describe the work of some BVNA committees.

Communications and Environment are the two busiest of our standing committees, led by Gretchen Theisen and Rob Miller, respectively. This time of year Rob’s group is busy with river, beach, and park clean-ups and acting as our liaison with other environmental projects. BVNA recently made a substantial matching grant available for the bluff restoration project at South Shore Park.

Gretchen’s team handles press releases, advertising, printing, graphics, and most of our photography. Besides being the driving force behind our social media pages, she also developed and coordinates our new, much easier-to-use website.

7. What do you need from Bay View residents to further your mission and goals?

Input. We want people to make their concerns known to us. Secondly, we’re always looking for volunteers.

8. How many volunteers does it take to make Chill on the Hill happen?

Chill is a monumental undertaking and preparations begin in February. Every Tuesday for the run of the series we rely on volunteers to manage the stage and the booths and handle setup and tear-down.

9. How does BVNA raise the money that it spends?

Sponsorships, grants, and membership dues. We don’t hold “fundraisers” in the traditional sense and we keep our spending local.

10. What are some past or ongoing BVNA projects?

Last year our biggest project was the construction of Bay View Hide House Community Gardens. We recently provided funding for their urban beekeeping project; and once again, produce from BVNA’s plot at Hide House will go to the meal program at Bay View United Methodist on KK. We’d also like to expand Project Crayon Box to include more schools. Other things include scholarship funding, a Humboldt Park movie night in August, voter registration at Chill, and more improvements to our park facilities.

Bay View Neighborhood Association

Teri Crain, President

P.O. Box 070184, Milwaukee, WI 53207

bayviewneighborhood@gmail.com

bayviewneighborhood.org

 

 

Hi-Fi Cafe

Mary Hart and Peter Steinhoff purchased the Hi-Fi Café in April 2004 from Sage Schwarm, who established the business in October 1996.
~photo Michael Timm

1. How long have you owned Hi-Fi Café and how has it changed since you’ve owned it?

Seven years. The menu has approximately doubled. We’ve added more entrees and beer/wine to increase dinner business.

2. How many menu items do you offer? Do you serve breakfast? How did you select your menu? During what hours do you serve food?

Full menu: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Food is served from open (7am Monday-Friday, 8am Saturday, 9am Sunday) to 9:30pm daily. Breakfast till noon M-F, 1pm weekends. The rest of the menu is available anytime. There’s a large selection for vegetarians, vegans, and meat lovers. Everything is homemade from scratch with fresh ingredients—bakery, soup/chili, hummus, dressings/sauces, salsa, guacamole, quiche, pancakes, made-to-order omelettes, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas, burritos/quesadillas, specialty shakes and smoothies, coffee and coffee drinks… Everything available for dine-in or carry-out.

3. Do you use any local suppliers for your ingredients?

Local produce whenever possible. Alterra fair-trade organic coffee, Rishi teas, El Rey Mexican products, Glorioso Italian products, Casablanca falafel, Breadsmith breads, Lakefront beers, Sprecher beers and sodas, Attari Supermarket pita bread and Middle Eastern foods, Luv Unlimited incense.

4. Does Hi-Fi have Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi at Hi-Fi is free with any purchase.

5. Have you noticed a shift in business to or from sandwich/soup/food items versus just coffee/beverages?

Less all-day coffee drinkers with the smoking ban, more food sales but still plenty of both. House coffee is still the most popular seller.

6. Many people may not know that Hi-Fi also sells beer and wine. How important are beer and wine sales to your business?

Offering beer/wine has increased business in evenings somewhat. It has caught on more slowly than expected.

7. What do you know about what your building was used for prior to the café?

It was a restaurant before Hi-Fi but not a coffee shop/café. Not sure how long. At some point Hi-Fi was a TV repair shop/showroom.

8. What have you noticed about your clientele since the smoking ban took effect? Has your business plan changed as a result?

Many smokers stopped coming altogether. Very few customers stay as long as they used to, which is good for turnover. Food business has definitely increased, but not as much as we expected. Possibly people who ruled out Hi-Fi because of smoking in the past don’t know how much we have to offer.

9. Do you have plans to ever expand or open a second location?

We almost expanded our current location recently, and would still like to if/when possible.

10. The burning question: What happened to your sign?

No exciting answer about the sign. It burned up during a storm, most likely the result of an electrical short. We prefer the explanation in the Compass April Fool’s edition, though: “Hi-Fi Café So Hot, Melts Own Sign.”

Hi-Fi Café

2640 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

Mary Hart & Peter Steinhoff

(414) 486-0504  hificafellc@yahoo.com   hificafe.com

 

 

Kathy’s Cat Care

Kathy Bauernfeind holds Porch Kitty for a photo-op inside the playroom at Second Hand Purrs Cat Shelter, 4300 S. Howell Ave. Porch Kitty, whose tail is amputated, is one of about 55 cats being cared for by volunteers inside the shelter. Bauernfeind started her home-based cat-sitting business in Bay View in 2008 and supports the shelter’s efforts. ~photo Michael Timm

1. Do you only care for cats and if so why?

Yes, I’ve chosen to focus my service on cats. Dogs are very different, and most folks either take them along when they’re away or make other arrangements. Cats are much happier staying in their usual environment.

2. What made you decide to start a cat care business?

I was on a two-week vacation and had a friend and brother alternate coming in every day to care for my cat. They didn’t mind doing it, but I wished I’d had another option and realized that many other folks were likely in the same position.

3. How much time do you spend with your client’s cat and what services do you provide?

I offer a “menu” of visit types: a stop (feeding/litter box/hugs/kisses for $10), a half-hour (including play and grooming for $15), and an hour (everything for $20). Some cats are more independent than others, so clients mix and match the types of visits, and when visits occur, to best meet their needs. We prepare a visit plan and I also offer electronic progress reports if desired, but always leave a paper “Visit Repurrrt.”

4. How do you market your business?

I stay pretty much within Bay View for marketing—advertising in the Compass and leaving business cards in the area. Word-of-mouth referrals are also very important.

5. What is the most challenging part of your work?

Caring for cats that are very old or ill, and helping their owners make difficult decisions. It’s about acknowledging and remembering the joy.

6. What is the best part of your work?

Meeting so many special people who love their cats.

7. What do you love most about cats?

I love everything that walks, crawls, and flies (except mosquitoes) but find that more than any other creature, every cat is remarkably unique. I could name specific personality traits of each of my cat clients—they’re like little people.

8. Who takes care of your cat when you travel or are out of town?

I haven’t traveled much in the last few years but have dear neighbors who help me out when the need arises.

9. What advice do you give prospective clients about preparing to work with a cat care provider?

One of the most important things is to make sure your cat feels comfortable with the visitor. Part of my service is a free pre-visit to meet and learn about the cat(s) I’ll be caring for. This also allows owners to feel comfortable that their pets will receive earnest, loving care. My service is all about making both cats and people feel comfortable when they have to be apart.

10. What makes your cat care business unique or different than other similar businesses?

I can’t say if this makes me unique but I honestly look forward to every cat visit I have—each one brightens my day. I also have a client who wants her cat to have an hour’s time, but who isn’t much into playing. So I read to him and, without fail, he curls up next to me and purrs. He’s enjoyed my literature choices so far.

Kathy Bauernfeind

(414) 482-0390

bauerka@att.net

kathyscatcare.com

INK Designs

Kevin Ristow’s wife designed the “daisy” patterned T-shirts that are part of INK Design’s thINK Conscious Apparel. ~photo Michael Timm

1. Why did you move INK Designs from Cudahy to Bay View? How has the new location worked out so far?

We were waiting for the appropriate time to move INK Designs to Bay View. The opportunity had presented itself this past year and we decided to make the move. There is such a strong support for local business in Milwaukee and we wanted to contribute to the support-local movement. We are very excited about our new Hide House location.

2. Why did you start your own apparel line, thINK Conscious Apparel?

thINK Conscious Apparel was introduced in fall 2007. Its purpose is to promote awareness of social and environmental issues through a thought-provoking line of art-focused, original, ethical, and fashion-aware apparel. Our designs focus on nature, peace, and the environment.

3. INK Designs is featured on the cover of the Fair Indigo catalogue this spring. What/how much does that mean to you?

We are extremely honored and excited to have the opportunity to work with a like-minded company that is equally as passionate about sustainability and fair trade.

4. What are some examples of innovative or interesting jobs you’ve taken on?

Last summer we worked with a local Bay View treasure—Rishi Tea—on an all-over print for their Chai with Roots campaign. The art wrapped around the shirt from front to back and then off the bottom. That was probably the most challenging and intricate print that we’ve done.

5. How did you get connected with doing merchandise for the Brewcity Bruisers roller derby?

We had done some work with the Urban Ecology Center and met Joey Zocher, UEC Washington Park program director. From there, Joey (Bruiser name: Pound Anya) connected us to the Brewcity Bruisers and ever since then INK Designs has been a proud sponsor.

6. What makes INK Designs different from any other T-shirt printer in the area?

What sets us apart is our commitment to giving back to the community. In 2009 we partnered with the Milwaukee Community Service Corps (MCSC). Through community service, young adults lead a local clean water initiative to preserve, conserve, and restore water quality throughout the Great Lakes basin. Since 2009, we’ve continually donated proceeds from our thINK Conscious Apparel sales directly to MCSC in support of this clean water initiative.

7. What is the screenprinting process like? How does it work?

Screen printing is a printing technique that uses woven mesh (screens) to support an ink-blocking stencil. The stencil forms open areas that allow ink to be pressed through the mesh when a squeegee is moved across the screen stencil, forcing ink past the threads of the woven mesh. The ink is then cured or dried.

8. What makes INK Designs environmentally friendly?

Our entire printing process from start to finish has been structured to lessen our impact on the Earth. We filter all of our waste water, use soy- and citrus-based solvents, non-toxic environmentally safe inks, and water-based adhesives. We also believe in sourcing apparel from sustainable manufacturers that use organic cotton, naturally sustainable bamboo, post-consumer recycled polyester, and low-impact dyes.

9. What graphic design services do you offer?

We offer a variety of design services—logos, business cards, web design, custom apparel, and various other print media.

10. What’s your professional history? How did you get into the printing business?

I’ve had a lifelong passion for print. I screenprinted my first T-shirt in a high school industrial arts class when I was 16 years old. I then studied graphic design in college and received my first job as a graphic designer in 1996. I’ve since worked for a newspaper, a direct mail company, a television station, and two advertising agencies. Ultimately, I decided to leave the corporate world behind to open INK Designs.

INK Designs
2625 S. Greeley St., Suite 305
Kevin Ristow
(414) 747-8998
kevin@inkdesigns.net
inkdesigns.net

Batcave Recording Studio

1.Who is Batcave Recording Studio and what do you do?
The studio is me, Sam Malaj, and the bevy of session musicians I’ve known over the years. The studio’s capabilities are flexible to suit live band recordings as well as detailed post-production, songwriting, and collaboration. I approach studio operation from the perspective of a “street smart” musician with a tactile sensibility.

2. What is your professional, musical, and/or technical background?

Gigging musician for 22 years—bass, vocal, guitar—locally, on the road, live, studio, hired gun, collaborator, Swiss Army knife, etc. Recordist for 18 years. Instructor, guitar tech, instrument builder, soundman, electronics nerd.

3. How did you come to operate in the Hide House? When? Where were you before?

My main band, Fire on Your Sleeve, was acquainted with local artist/guitar wiz/snicklefriss Brian “Beanz” Grinwald when our need for a spot coincided with a vacancy he had here in ’06. Previously the studio was located in an East Side basement.

4. How do you compete/cooperate with other recording studios? What makes you unique?

Maybe all the odd-ball, home-made rigs? (Now that’s a band name!) I also offer services uncommon to most studios like songwriting/rendering, part writing/recording, backup vocal production, in-studio vocal coaching, in-studio guitar setups, pre/post-editing, creative editing, and a bunch of tech stuff I’m sure I’m forgetting.

I specialize in esoteric aspects of vocal production and delivery, and I believe a producer needs to have a certain grasp of language to explain what “needs to happen” at any step. Usually it can be accomplished by example and mimicking, but a simple, cleanly-stated explanation can go a long way. I set a steady, productive working pace.

I offer the option of pricing hourly or flat-rate (per song) and bulk rates for longer projects.

5. Describe some work you’ve recently done with some local clients.

Last month Bay View local Drew Ingle (formerly of Spirit Creek) and I wrapped up a Springsteen-esque production of a bunch of his open-mic originals with the help of my secret-weapon, hired-gun drummer and friend Chad Clausen. Production fell together without a hitch and the legendary Trevor Sadler is slated to master it.

6. What advice would you give to a local band that is looking to create an album?

Play dynamically and “mix yourself” as you record your part. Structure steps when possible. Less is more. Don’t be scared of the click track. Don’t clip. Study math and physics if you’re going to do it yourself.

7. Your website says you’ve added a local didgeridoo player to a live act. For whom? What was that like? How much is Batcave involved in your clients’ production process?

I’m the didgeridooist. I overdub them when desired. I build and tune them. PVC works best and is easiest to tune. I have them in B, E, C#, and an adjustable “slide” didgeridoo in PVC. The wooden one here is likely tuned to H-minus. I devised two new methods of making a didge. One became my current drum overhead rig. The other wound up becoming my trade secret technique. I’ve said too much already.

Depth of involvement fluxes based on needs. Sometimes I’ll “be” and/or hire the backup band for a project. Other times it’s reconstruction on an existing song or beat track. I do a lot of backup vocal “stacking,” especially on hip hop productions. Sometimes operations require a creative nudge and sometimes all I have to do is simply be the engineer.

8. What is the most rewarding part of your work? What is the most challenging?

Many younger players who come through get better at their instruments after a finished project because we’ll have spent time going over things like techniques for following a click track or alternate picking or a breathing technique or whatever.

Challenges can come from song composition and interpretation. It can flow or be tedium. That said, those types of speed bumps are overcome once everyone is speaking the same language and after the right “color” is found.

9. Who are some big-name or special/memorable clients you’ve recorded in Bay View?

Currently, my wheelhouse is wrapped up in Jason Loveall’s (of The Danglers) new project. It’s forming into an otherworldly experience. It spans wide going from snarling country/punk to old-timey gypsy to swirling, atmospheric, alien-induced dreamscapes. I’m giddy like a schoolgirl.

10. How would you describe Bay View’s vibe for business and for music?

Thankfully there is a scene with a lot of talent and venues. We’re so lucky to have a wide range of venues like Frank’s, Cactus, Lulu, and the Brew Haus. There’s a lot of good energy on and near KK for art and independent business to be further cultivated and I don’t ever want to see it go through a McConversion to chain stores and strip malls.

The Hide House complex itself is a nerve center of artistic activity. I’m blessed to be here amid the constant bustle of pro artists of many walks. Shout out to Gibson Bathrick, yo!

Batcave Recording Studio
2625 S. Greeley St.
Sam Malaj (414) 839-8680
sammalaj@yahoo.com
www.reverbnation.com/batcaverecordingstudio

Pro Comp Auto Body

Pro Comp Auto Body Inc.

3045 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Mark Amrozewicz
(414) 747-0436
procomp_abinc@hotmail.com
procompautobody.com

1. What range of services do you offer? Do you do more repair and bodywork or custom paint design?

We offer expert collision repair along with custom painting. In the beginning we did more custom work but recently it has been mostly collision repair. Our complete paint jobs are a higher-end paint job, so with the declining economy, complete paint and custom work is not as common.

2. What’s the most bizarre design a client has had you paint on their vehicle?

We used to airbrush wolves, the Milwaukee skyline, and even loved ones’ faces on motorcycles and cars but the call for these items has lessened, so we no longer do airbrushing. Recently we just completed a complete paint job along with custom stripes on a motor home for Crabby’s Bar & Grill on KK & Oklahoma.

3. What is the history of your building? How long has Pro Comp been there?

I believe the building was built in the ’50s as Jim King Chevrolet and was open until about 1982 or ’83. From about 1984-95 it was various mechanical, transmission, and body shops. In 1995 it was open as Pro Comp Auto Body, where I worked for three years and bought it in 1998. Pro Comp started on Packard Avenue near Morris Avenue, across from Cudahy’s Ladish Co., in 1992.

4. What is the biggest challenge of your line of work?

Finding capable trained employees. It seems that since cars are not that interesting (all cars being the same basic types) younger people don’t have the interest they once had in cars, so they don’t seem to take up this trade.

5. What percentage of your customers come from Bay View? How do you market your business outside Bay View?

About 75 percent of my business is from Bay View. Everything is word of mouth. We do care about each customer’s car even more than our own and we take pride in knowing that we do an excellent job. I believe that is how we get referrals from all over the city.

6. Describe some of your specialized equipment.

We have a frame machine for the bigger-hit cars (which pulls a damaged vehicle’s frame with incredible force to undo accident damage) and a spray booth to keep the refinishing process as clean as possible. (Inside the spray booth, painters wear respirators.) All the employees also have their own assortment of specialized tools.

7. How has bodywork and repair changed over the years as cars have evolved from metal toward plastic and fiberglass?

Most of the cars are still steel. Even the plastic-paneled cars still have a high-strength steel unibody under all of the plastic panels. With the closing of Saturn I don’t see a lot of cars that are using plastic panels. Aluminum is more prominent, however.

8. How many people does Pro Comp employ?

We employ seven people at Pro Comp. Most of them have been with us for over 10 years.

9. Why is Bay View a good fit for your business? What could make the business environment better?

The people of Bay View are loyal to their area. They seem happy to give us their business over leaving the neighborhood. It seems anytime I am outside near the street someone is honking the horn and waving. The property taxes continue to rise. We have to deal with the same property tax problems that all our neighbors have with the Bay View area getting more attractive to others. When we have had other issues with the city we have also felt comfortable asking our alderman, Tony Zielinski, for help, which he has never denied.

10. What are your three favorite vehicles of all time? What color(s) should they be painted?

My dream car is a ’70 Trans Am, original white with blue stripes. I own a silver Suburban with some modifications. I got into the body work business at Pulaski High School because I loved cars. After working on them daily for 28 years I really don’t love the cars as much as working with the people to make sure they are comfortable in trusting us to work on their cars and make them 100-percent happy with their experience at Pro Comp.

Custom Designed Lighting, Sound & Video

2273 S. Howell Ave.

(414) 744-0782

custom-designed.us

cdlsv@yahoo.com

Open 12-5pm, Monday-Friday1. What is Custom Designed Lighting, Sound & Video?

CDLSV is part retail, part contractor business that focuses on the music and lighting industry, but also has its hands in surveillance systems and video applications. CDLSV is an established business in the Bay View community and has served the greater Milwaukee area for over 20 years. Mobile DJs and business owners are our main type of customer as well as the occasional band. We supply everything from cords to complete sound and lighting systems as well as everything in between, i.e. lighting effects, fog machines, lasers, and bubble machines.

2. Do you install sound systems in cars and homes?

No.

3. What kind of equipment and services do you sell?

We sell many different items ranging from safety cables and halogen bulbs to amplifiers, speakers, and rack equipment (including racks) to mobile DJ systems to surveillance systems to lighting equipment, intelligent DMX lighting, and standalone lighting like par cans, lasers, color wash, pin spots, black lights, stands, etc. We are a distributor for numerous manufacturers.

4. What is your rental service?

We rent sound and lighting packages for most any sized crowd. We have systems that are perfect for bands and live DJs, and we also have a very popular system for the not-so-technical DJ. This system is rented out mostly for smaller parties and wedding receptions. Our lighting packages are inexpensive and easy to set up on your own. Lighting packages can be standard par cans, which are solid colored lights, or you can choose from our array of special effects lighting, which can include fog machines, laser lights, or the new LED lights that have been hitting the market lately. Some of those lights can be really fun to watch, and setup is a cinch.

5. Why is one of your websites called the DJ Store?

We have a few sites out there right now. The DJ Store is our e-commerce site…Currently, our web developer is designing a new site that will merge all of our sites together. This new site will not only contain a shopping cart, but also a message board for local musicians and DJs who have services available, and those who need to hire a band or DJ can search our site for available musicians.

6. How has your area of the Bay View business district changed since you’ve been in your store on Howell & Lincoln?

It has been said that Bay View is the up-and-coming East Side. Unfortunately, there are some individuals who put this statement to the test. Since CDLSV has established itself in the community, we have helped to reduce crime by working with the local police district and the alderman. We have helped to put people behind bars for committing crimes against other individuals. CDLSV has a standard that we adhere to very closely: Crime in our neighborhood is not welcome here. Our own surveillance systems have caught many people in the acts of wrongdoing, and it is directly because of this that the crime rate has been reduced and some of the remaining riffraff have moved on to other places. Our surveillance systems have also helped to protect our customers’ businesses.

7. What are some other services you provide besides renting equipment?

We provide service calls and quotes on what an installation would cost for a business owner looking to add/upgrade a new or existing sound, lighting, or video display/security system.

8. What is the most interesting show/act that you’ve provided sound for?

All of the shows/acts that we have provided sound for are unique and interesting in one way or another. We do a lot of sound for local acts and for some famous acts.

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

The most challenging part of this business is the number crunching. Our goal is to meet or beat our competitor’s price. It takes time to investigate products our distributors have, compare prices, and compile quotes.

10. What is a mobile DJ?

A mobile DJ is someone who DJs at small parties or nightclubs/bars. Mobile DJs are the fabric of local music in dance clubs, bars, and nightclubs you find throughout our great city.

Refinishing & Plating Company

Refinishing & Plating Company

Anton, Clarice, and Ruth Nagel

(414) 481-2222

305 E. Lincoln Ave.

refinishingandplating.com

refinishing.plating@yahoo.com

(replies by Ruth Nagel)

1. Who started your business in 1971? When and why did the business move to Milwaukee?

My father Anton studied metal finishing as a tradesman in Augsburg, Germany. He moved here for a better life and a dream to start his own business. Originally, the business started in Madison, Wis., but in 1973 they decided to move to a bigger location in Milwaukee.

2. How long does it take to learn your craft? What are the most challenging components?

It takes years to learn this craft because we specialize in many different types of metals and finishes. Each metal has a different process and new set of challenges.

3. What types of objects do you replate and refinish? What is the difference between replating and refinishing?

We replate and refinish antiques, door hardware, floor and table lamps, light fixtures, stained glass, artwork, shower and kitchen fixtures, religious items, boat parts, and small car parts. If it is metal we can probably help you. Refinishing is polishing on solid copper, brass, and sterling. Some examples are wash boilers, candlesticks, brass beds, etc. Plating is done when customers want to change the finish they have. An example is plating a steel doorknob and changing it to satin nickel.

4. What is the largest object you have replated? The most memorable?

The largest object we replated is a fireplace. The most memorable was when we helped to refinish religious items for the Basilica of St. Josaphat.

5. Why do you recommend that an object be waxed or lacquered after refinishing?

Because it protects your piece(s) from the environment and daily wear and tear on the piece(s). We want to give our customers a long-lasting finish so they can enjoy it for years to come.

6. In our culture, where we tend to toss-out-and-buy-new rather than repair or restore, does your work mostly entail working on antiques or religious objects? What other projects do people bring to you?

Our business specializes in metal. We do all kinds of remodeling projects for our customers. People bring us old and new items for refinishing. Many of our customers want special finishes that they cannot find, are not offered, or they just like their piece(s). Why buy new if you like what you have already?

7. Do you refinish silverware? Is that an expensive process?

Yes, we refinish silverware. Silver is a precious metal so our price depends on the market price. Plating silver can be expensive but a lot of parents/grandparents fix up their old sets so they can give them away to their family as a family heirloom.

8. Why did you decide to locate on Lincoln Avenue?

We located on Lincoln Avenue because it is a good location for our business and it is a main street easy to find for our customers.

9. Are your clients mainly owners of objects or do you also work with decorators and restoration firms? Any local examples?

Our customers range from a private customer to small commercial jobs. For example, we did business for Brass Light Gallery before they put in their own plating.

10. How do you protect yourself and the environment from any hazardous chemicals used in your craft?

Education is the best way to protect oneself. By belonging to NASF (National Association of Surface Finishers) we have guest speakers who keep us informed with regulations, new products, and technologies in our field. The environment is our top concern and we are recognized for diligent compliance to the environmental standards set by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.

Vintageous Vintage Boutique

1. When did you fall in love with the objects of yesteryear?

From a young age I’ve always had a love for old things. I attribute this to my late grandmother, a Bay View resident who loved to rummage and thrift shop and who was a typical Wisconsin pack rat! People who know me always say I was born in the wrong era.

2. When and how did you begin selling collectibles and antiques?

I’ve always been a collector, but years ago I started selling to some friends in Chicago who had an antique shop. Then I started selling on eBay when it was just starting out. It just gradually progressed from there.

3. What items do you specialize in?

I specialize in vintage clothing and apparel from the 1920s to 1960s as well as costume jewelry, shoes, and accessories from the same eras.

4. What is your favorite fashion era? Who are your favorite designers?

I love the 1940s World War II era. The clothing is so timeless and classic. Designers are always going back to the 1940s for inspiration. I tend to go for beauty and style of design more than designer labels. My love for the 1920s flapper era is just as great, although that clothing can be very hard to find.

5. How do you acquire your merchandise?

I can’t give away all of my secrets! My customers always ask me that question because I have such an immense and amazing collection of vintage. Let’s just say it is a lot of hard work and searching it out can be difficult. There is no place I would rather be than in a dusty old attic full of vintage clothing.

6. Do you think there is a movement back to brick-and-mortar shopping after the initial explosion of online retailing?

I think people like to touch and see what they are buying. It can be tricky buying online, especially clothing, because you cannot try it on.

7. Why is Bay View a good place to do business?

Bay View has a diverse mix of people of all ages and interests, and it is an artsy community. The items I sell are unique, and my customers appreciate that and enjoy going green with recycled items and fashion.

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

I always say we need more interesting and unique retail shops in the area to draw in more traffic from outside of Bay View. The community needs to support these small businesses because they seem to come and go. Losing Chartreuse and Sweet Kicks to the East Side was disappointing.

9. Is parking a problem for your customers or suppliers?

Parking is really not a problem until after 5pm and on weekends. There are several free parking lots as well as street parking.

10. What do you like most about the antique and collectible business?

The thrill of the hunt!

Vintageous Vintage Boutique
Owner: Christine W.

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