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A Tosa resident for more than 15 years, Karen is a stay-at-home mom with two children who enjoys writing and playing tennis. She spends the fall and winter in the stands at Green Bay Packer and Marquette basketball games.


Karen is the former community columnist for the Wauwatosa NOW newspaper.

Extreme Little Red Makeover

By Karen Waldkirch
Wednesday, Aug 27 2008, 07:07 AM

Well, it’s not currently red, but I have to say, it’s looking better than ever.

 

The other day, my husband and I wandered by Wauwatosa’s Little Red Store. Although it’s far from finished, it’s obvious that someone has spent some significant time on our quaint little landmark. (Darn those vandals that broke one of the windows!)

 

And it’s not a minute too soon, or so it seems based on this article I found on www.WauwatosaNOW.com. On September 10th, the Milwaukee County Landmarks Committee will meet to determine whether The Little Red Store and two other sites should be designated as Official Milwaukee County Landmarks.

 

If you’re interested in contributing to the restoration of The Little Red Store, click here.

 

In the meantime, I’d be interested to hear what you think should be done with this darling little building. It sounds like the Wauwatosa Historical Society would like to make it a visitors’ center. I’m not sure how I feel about that, given its hard-to-find location. I'm also not sure if the long-term use of the Little Red Store is up for debate.

 

But let's talk about it anyway. Would it be better as a commercial business housed in a historic building? I’m thinking that may be a more reliable way to keep an important structure healthy and viable. Located just off a well-traveled bike path, some people have suggested a candy store or a bike rental shop? Why stop at bikes? Why not cross-country skis and Segways?!

 

What do you think?

    

Comments

Ray Py   

Thanks Karen for begging the question.  I think the Little Red Store would be an important and promising site for a small movie or video site, as would many other locaations in the Village.  A small directory listing the store and other sites, (with pictures), data as to location and availability and other pertinent information should be compiled in a Villag Directory for Movie Locationds and made available to the Milwaukee Film Office.  Because of recent legislastion encouraging such activity in Wisconsin, this will soon be a major industry.  Obviously this work would have to be done by volunteers who would scout locations and gain the information needed.  

August 27, 2008 11:12 AM

Jeff Roznowski   

Thanks, Karen, for drawing attention to the preservation of a part of Wauwatosa's history that dates back to 1854.  The Wauwatosa Historical Society and the City of Wauwatosa have formed a wonderful partnership on this project.  Exterior work will complete this fall (and yes, it will continue to be red!), with interior work completion and a dedication event slated for spring.  The Historical Society continues to raise funds for the interior so please consider a donation.

We do envision one use of the Little Red Store to be a visitor and welcome center.  But we are looking at a variety of other uses, including rentals to groups, refreshments, and bike rentals, and welcome ideas from the public.  It is important to keep in mind that the interior space is only 600 sqaure feet.

Jeff Roznowski, VP of Development, Wauwatosa Historical Society

August 27, 2008 3:33 PM

Peter Hart   

Karen, I still think it would be a great place to house the

George Walker Bush Presidental Library:)

August 28, 2008 9:29 PM

Heidi Friedrichs-Schudrowitz   

I have always thought that a skate/bike rental and cafe would be an awesome use of the Little Red Store. Maybe ice cream and candy and refreshments too.

August 28, 2008 10:30 PM

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