Jonathan Newby’s Guide to a Day Supporting Black-Owned Milwaukee
Best known for his "Newby’s List for Newbies" series, which helps new residents discover the places they need to know in Milwaukee, join local real estate agent Jonathan Newby of Falk Ruvin Gallagher to explore the city, supporting Black-owned businesses around town. See Milwaukee like a Newby, tag along on his perfect day around the Cream City.
Consider this your blueprint to hitting some of Newby’s favorite Black-owned spots.
8 a.m. – Coffee at Style Pop Cafe
If your cafe experience is just as important as a well-crafted cup of java, Newby suggests you start your morning at Style Pop Cafe. Located in the heart of Walker's Point, this Black-owned café serves premium espresso drinks alongside wraps, muffins, egg rolls and house-made creamers. Owned by Rosha Brister, the space offers a safe, LGBTQ+–friendly and stylish environment designed for remote work or meeting up with your friends.
9:15 a.m. – Drop Off Dry Cleaning at Joy Cleaners
This stop is personal for Newby. Joy Cleaners has been a neighborhood staple for 18 years. It’s the kind of place that is so good at what it does that there's no need to advertise, its loyal customers come back time and time again, passing this haven of crisp, dry-cleaned shirts by word of mouth.
10 a.m. – Settle In at HoneyBee Sage Wellness
Next, he heads to HoneyBee Sage Wellness for a slower pace. The tea lounge and apothecary offers a quiet, grounding atmosphere designed to nourish both body and soul. He orders a cup of loose-leaf tea, finds a corner and takes a moment to reset.
12:30 p.m. – Lunch at Sam’s Place Jazz Café
Sam’s Place Jazz Café is Newby's pick for lunch. Here, you'll savor classic soul food like catfish, fried chicken and shrimp and grits made from scratch.
2 p.m. – Shop at Unfinished Legacy
After lunch, head to the Historic Third Ward to visit Unfinished Legacy. Founded by Sudanese-born creative director Brema Brema, the streetwear brand tells powerful stories of migration and growth through butterfly imagery and handmade, sustainable designs. With bold, locally inspired pieces, Unfinished Legacy celebrates Milwaukee’s creativity and culture.
2:45 p.m. – Grab Baked Goods at Delicious Bites
An afternoon stop at Delicious Bites is a must. Known for irresistible cookies, cupcakes and custom cakes, the bakery is owned by Tomira White, who also offers convenient grab-and-go lunch options.
6:30 p.m. – Dinner at Immy’s African Cuisine
Newby ends the day at Immy’s African Cuisine. This family-owned restaurant brings West African traditions to Milwaukee with dishes like jollof rice, egusi soup and coconut chicken curry.
This is Milwaukee, not the version you see on a postcard, but the one you experience when you pay attention and choose to support places that are building something lasting. Black-owned businesses are part of Milwaukee's soul. This February, and every month after, Newby encourages you to show up, support intentionally and celebrate consistently.
Whenever I get gloomy about the state of the world, I think about Milwaukee cafés. I think about the caffeinated combination known universally in the coffee-loving lexicon…
And that’s it. The moment the Seattle Seahawks hoisted the Lombardi trophy last night, a quiet clock started counting down the seconds to the Major League Baseball…
Milwaukee really showed off in 2025. Baird Center scooped up local and national awards like it was its full-time job. The Milwaukee Brewers captured the hearts of baseball fans…
Milwaukee has no shortage of historic buildings, but few come with a story like the Uplifting Mansion. Built in 1899, the mansion was designed as a place for gathering…
In an era of unlimited entertainment choices, where each of us is streaming a different show, following a different sports team or scrolling endlessly on our "For You…
Whether you’re on the hunt for Valentine’s Day ideas or a random Tuesday evening, consider this your cheat sheet to romance in the Good Land. Check out these eight…
The best museum gift shops are a continuation of the winding mazes of exhibitions and exhibits, each written in a different medium. They take ideas that once lived at full scale…
While the rest of the country is watching groundhogs and buying discount chocolate, Milwaukee's stages are hosting Nine Inch Nails at Fiserv Forum, christening a brand-new…
As the XXV Olympic Winter Games approach, we find ourselves thinking about Bill Murray. No, not about his cult classic “Groundhog Day,” but rather an idea he…
The top women’s college volleyball teams in the country are coming to Milwaukee this summer. Taking place August 21-23, the American Volleyball Coaches…
We want to see all the fun you're having. Share your adventure with us!
