Martin Drive Neighborhood Attractions

Déjà vu Consignments – This shop located right on Vliet Street is filled with interesting secondhand products and gently-used items. Bring your sellable items to Déjà vu Consignments and, if your items are purchased, you will receive a percentage of the profit.

Eat Cake! – A mere glance at the specialty cakes on display in this local shop is sure to make your mouth water! Eat Cake! specializes in creating every type of cake imaginable – from elaborate, elegant cakes to ridiculous, non-traditional masterpieces.

Highland Park and Pies – From the outside, this unique looks like a snug European cottage surrounded by beautiful flower gardens. On the inside, patrons relax with homemade bakery, sandwiches and warm drinks in a cozy setting. Highland Park and Pies is frequented by neighborhood residents who can be found relaxing with friends at one of the patio tables on a pleasant afternoon.

Washington Park – Washington Park is one of three parks in Milwaukee that are part of “The Grand Necklace of Parks” envisioned and designed by the famed landscape architect Fredrick Olmstead at the turn of the 19th century. The former site of the Milwaukee County Zoo, Washington Park is home to an Urban Ecology Center, a public pool, an enormous bandshell, a senior center and a large lagoon teeming with wildlife.

Miller Brewing Company Tour – Nothing beats a free tour of the Miller Brewery, the crown jewel of Brew City. Visitors of all ages are treated to a video, a tour the bottling center, a climb up to the brew house and a stroll through the historic Miller caves before sampling the beverage that made Milwaukee famous. Kids are treated to an alternative beverage – root beer.

Organized Nighttime Trick or Treat – For nearly 15 years, the Martin Drive Neighborhood Association has organized a special event frequented by hundreds of children, teenagers and parents. Each year, a different block from the Martin Drive Neighborhood hosts the event and the entire street is shutdown for this unique and exciting event.

Pizzeria Tazza – Want a good slice of pizza? Look no further that Pizzeria Tazza, a great, locally-owned pizza joint on Vliet Street. The pizza-themed interior, including plush booths shaped like pizza slices, was designed by MATC interior design students. Look for the building with a gigantic coffee cup and saucer perched atop the building.

Urban Ecology Center – Located on the edge of the Washington Park Lagoon, the Urban Ecology Center uses its “outdoor laboratory” to teach members of the community about the environment in an urban atmosphere. The center opened in Washington Park in the fall of 2007 and offers neighborhood environmental education programs to neighbors of all ages.

Vliet Street Commons – a public art project and gathering place designed by Jill Sebastian.

Vliet Street Farmer’s Market – Join neighbors from the Martin Drive Neighborhood every Sunday from 11am to 3pm. Support farmers from the neighborhood by purchasing local produce, products and art.

Washington Park Senior Center – The senior center, managed by Interfaith Older Adult Programs and funded the Milwaukee County Department on Aging, is a terrific resource for adults “50 or better”. The center provides special facilities and programs such as a woodshop, a fitness center, computer classes, yoga lessons and art instruction, all provided for free or a for a nominal fee.

Wednesday Night Concert Series – Milwaukee County Parks sponsors a weekly concert series at the Blatz Temple of Music Bandshell in Washington Park all through the month of July.
Westside Artwalk - A biannual event held in April and September is supportive of the arts and economy by offering exposure of local artists’ works while creating interest and vibrancy of our local businesses. Visit Vliet Street, from 60th to 43rd, the Village, and other Wauwatosa locations. Over 35 locations will feature art, entertainment and special events.

Wick Field – One of the largest outdoor sport centers in Milwaukee County, Wick Field is outfitted with a number of tennis courts, baseball diamonds, football and soccer fields. Wick field is home to a number of intramural sports leagues, from kickball to flag football.

Deja Vu Consignments #1 Antique Store in Milwaukee

Best Antique Store in Milwaukee Resides in Martin Drive Neighborhood

Deja Vu Consignments recently won the WISN-12 #1 best store in the category of Shopping/Antiques. This is a huge honor and to celebrate, on Friday, Nov. 9th owner, Karen Spencer held an A-List Party to thank her loyal customers. A bit of bubbly and fabulous appetizers were enjoyed by all who came.

When asked, what does it take to be number one? Karen replied, “Good customer service and loyal customers”. While all those ingredients are true about Déjà vu, there is much more that goes into Deja Vu taking the number one place amongst Antique Stores. Déjà Vu has a friendly, warm atmosphere. You will feel very comfortable browsing and will enjoy the fresh and neat appearance of the store that constantly changes. Every 30 days the items are reduced by 10% and this reduction is clearly marked on the price tags.

Purchasing from Déjà vu is a very green thing to do. Karen has a special eye and talent for turning hopeless appearing items with good bones into useful and appealing furnishings with pizzazz. She can rework a piece or combine several pieces into her creations which she calls “Déjà Vu Originals”. It is fun to look at her before and after photos that are on display in a book in the store.

Déjà vu Consignments just celebrated seven years in business. She opened her store on Martin Luther King Drive but moved the store to Vliet Street in the Martin Drive Neighborhood in 2004.