The east side of Wauwatosa is buzzing with new businesses, each bringing unique offerings and vibrant energy to the community. Small businesses often collaborate closely with city staff, receiving assistance in setting up shop. Here are some of the latest additions to our neighborhood:
- Pipsqueak Wine: Earning a reputation as the neighborhood wine shop, Pipsqueak Wine opened in June 2024 at 6410 W North Ave.
- WingZone: Known for their flavor-fuzed wings, plus burgers, tenders, and more, WingZone is located at 6707 W North Ave.
- Tosa Block Party: Moving back to North Avenue in 2024, Tosa Block Party hosts the coolest LEGO parties and offers a STEAM Academy that provides LEGO Education programs to support kids' learning.
- Idyll Coffee: Breathing life into a long-time vacant office building at 6330 W North Avenue, Idyll Coffee is renovating the space into a coffee shop, roasting facility, and community hub.
- lyss + littles: A children’s clothing boutique, lyss + littles is located at 7251 W. North Ave.
- The Crimson Guild: A certified hobby shop featuring trading cards, unique collectibles, and group game rooms, The Crimson Guild is at 8730 W. North Ave.
In addition to helping small business navigate city permitting and approval processes, the city supports these ventures with financial assistance for signage, building improvements, and other projects. Here’s a list of some of the small business financial support programs that the City of Wauwatosa offers:
- Façade, Signage, and Code Compliance Forgivable Loans. These smaller sized forgivable loans to improve building facades and signage and undertake updates for building code compliance are forgiveness over a 5-year period.
- Wauwatosa Revolving Loan Fund. The Wauwatosa Revolving Loan Fund Corporation provides gap financing for businesses opening or expanding in the city, structured in way to best meet the business's needs.
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Business Loan Program. These federal loan funds are available to new or expanding businesses that create jobs meeting federal program requirements. Funds can be used for acquisition, limited equipment purchase and building renovations.
