MOBILE
From Market to Main Street in Waukesha, WI
Guitar Town on the Rise
Home of music legend Les Paul, Waukesha, WI boasts a vibrant downtown with year-round events that are certain to grab visitors’ attention no matter their interests. The town has a rich, 100-year history, and by focusing on local vendors and small businesses, it’s seen a revitalization in the past few years that has helped to further bolster tourism and traffic in the downtown area. Whether people come for guitar history, the annual Silver Bells Christmas event, or the immensely popular Farmers Market, Waukesha offers a little something for everyone.
Small Business Strikes a Chord
Waukesha has one of the biggest downtown areas in the vicinity, boasting over 100 businesses that each add their own unique touch to visitors’ experiences. Just 10-15
years ago, there were vacant storefronts and less activity, but now a mixture of bars, restaurants, professional services, and retail have moved in to make the downtown a thriving cultural hub. The popular Small Business Saturday encourages people to shop local by offering incentives, and frequent customers to the Farmers Market receive loyalty rewards after repeat visits. WDBA president Chris Janet, emphasizing the importance of the shops, eateries, and offices that populate Waukesha laughs, “Without the small businesses we don’t have a downtown!”
