Be MKE: Bucks championship anniversary, a look at the new museum and a major RNC update

Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·8 min read

Who we are. Where we go. What we need to know.

Magic.

There's no better word to describe how exactly one year ago today felt.

Thousands filled Fiserv Forum and 65,000 fans packed Deer District to see the Milwaukee Bucks defeat the Phoenix Suns, 105-98, taking the NBA Finals four games to two.

I spent that day putting together an Instagram story for the JS, talking with fans outside the arena and showing what it was like around there.

And when tip-off approached, I headed on in.

The whole day was made up of moments I'll treasure forever, from seeing a bird's-eye view of the masses from the Panorama Club's balcony to hearing the famous "Bucks in 6" chant (or prophecy) fill the air.

With the first anniversary of the 2021 championship victory upon us, we obviously need to celebrate.

Since paper is the traditional one-year anniversary gift, here's a list of ways to get your celebration on, from a Game 6 watch party at The MECCA Sports Bar and Grill to snapping a pic with the new, larger-than-life Giannis Antetokounmpo mural downtown.

Be MKE July 20, 2022: Hannah Kirby at Game 6 of the NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on July 20, 2021. The Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns, 105-98, taking the series four games to two.
Be MKE July 20, 2022: Hannah Kirby at Game 6 of the NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on July 20, 2021. The Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns, 105-98, taking the series four games to two.

Let’s talk business

Here's a first look at the design of the new, five-story Milwaukee Public Museum. The exterior is reminiscent of the geological formations in Mill Bluff State Park in central Wisconsin. Inside, the public commons atrium is inspired by the convergence of Milwaukee’s three rivers: the Milwaukee, Kinnickinnic and Menomonee. The building's four upper levels of exhibit space will be offset from neighboring floors in the museum’s collections storage area, which will allow visitors to peek through windows at collections that are not part of public exhibits or dioramas. The new space will also feature two native plant gardens. Which current exhibits will be on public display in the new building is still being determined. The new museum, located at West McKinley Avenue and North Sixth Street, plans to make its debut in 2026.

Milwaukee Public Museum's new downtown building will be a primarily concrete and glass structure.
Milwaukee Public Museum's new downtown building will be a primarily concrete and glass structure.

Fellow downtowners, we're getting another place to shop. Kohl's Corp. will be opening a new, smaller-format store in the old Grand Avenue mall. "This investment not only signifies our continued commitment to our hometown but also illustrates our progress on our growth-market store strategy," said Michelle Gass, Kohl's CEO. Yes, Amazon customers will be able to make returns there. And yes, there will be a Sephora. The new store, which plans to open in fall 2023, will be located on the first floor of HUB 640, 640 N. Phillips Avenue.

An architectural rendering of the new Kohl's store in downtown Milwaukee.
An architectural rendering of the new Kohl's store in downtown Milwaukee.

The future of Major Goolsby’s, one of the city's most beloved sports bars, has been secured. When developer Josh Jeffers purchased the entire block at 333 W. State St., including Goolsby’s, Jeffers said the bar would likely be demolished once the lease was up. But Goolsby's owners Jerome Cohen and Patrick Murphy have now purchased the building from J. Jeffers & Co. "At this point, it makes all the sense in the world for them to own their own building," Jeffers said. "Obviously, they're an iconic fixture in that part of downtown and the Deer District, I though this was the right thing to do."

Bucks fans line the bar at Major Goolsby's before a game.
Bucks fans line the bar at Major Goolsby's before a game.

Out and about

After being grounded for the past two summers by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Milwaukee Air & Water Show will return Saturday and Sunday. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels, a B-29 (a restored World War II superfortress — one of only two still flying), more than a dozen air and seven water acts are scheduled. Events are being held along and above Lake Michigan from Bradford Beach to McKinley Beach, just north of downtown. Here's what you need to know.

The Blue Angels perform over Pensacola Beach on Friday, July 8, 2022.
The Blue Angels perform over Pensacola Beach on Friday, July 8, 2022.

Milwaukee's vibrant Dragon Boat Festival will also be back this summer. It'll be held Aug. 13 at Lakeshore State Park, 500 N. Harbor Drive. More than 50 teams from Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa will be racing in "colorfully decorated" 43-foot-long dragon boats, according to a news release. Attendees can also expect Chinese cultural performances, market exhibits, Chinese folk music, martial arts, a Kids Zone, dances and popular Asian fusion food. Proceeds will benefit the United Way, a news release said.

Competitors get ready to race at the seventh annual Milwaukee Dragon Boat Festival held at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee, Aug. 10, 2019.
Competitors get ready to race at the seventh annual Milwaukee Dragon Boat Festival held at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee, Aug. 10, 2019.

The second annual Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off, a two-day college hockey showcase, will return to Fiserv Forum this winter. It will feature the University of Wisconsin men's hockey team, Lake Superior State, Massachusetts and Clarkson. Semifinals are scheduled for Dec. 28 and the consolation/championship games will be held on Dec. 29. Tickets for the event are on sale now in both single-day and two-day packages. Last year, Wisconsin won the four-team showcase with thrilling wins over Yale and Providence.

Don’t go hangry

There's a new daytime restaurant in Bay View by the owners of Sabrosa Cafe and Gallery. Sisu Cafe serves up breakfast and lunch sandwiches, U.P.-style pasties, sweet pastries including Finnish cinnamon rolls, coffee, soup, salad and more. Sundays bring chilaquiles and a hot-meat market. The counter-service restaurant, 2121 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., has 10 tables and a couple of larger tables seating six. Looking ahead, the cafe will offer outdoor seating, table-service brunch on Sundays starting sometime in August, brunch cocktails and a couple of conversation corners with cushy chairs and coffee tables, according to chef and co-owner Frank Sanchez. Hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Korvapuusti, the Finnish cinnamon rolls, are among the house-made baked goods at the newly opened Sisu Cafe, 2121 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. in the Bay View neighborhood.
Korvapuusti, the Finnish cinnamon rolls, are among the house-made baked goods at the newly opened Sisu Cafe, 2121 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. in the Bay View neighborhood.

The new Sherman Park Grocery, 4315 W. Fond du Lac Avenue, is committed to giving locals access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The area is in a food desert with the nearest full-line grocery store about 2 miles away, said Maurice “Moe” Wince, a real estate developer, who owns the property with his wife, Yashica Spears. The store — made possible by a grant from the city's Fresh Food Access Fund — has canned goods; fresh packaged meats; fresh produce including some from a hydroponics farming system located above the store; a hot deli with healthy versions of soul food; and cleaning and laundry supplies. Wince partnered with two local nonprofits to support his Feed My Sheep ministry, which will provide $50 gift cards to families who come up short at the cash register. Half the money, he said, must be spent on fresh fruits and vegetables, while the remaining must be used for other staples, such as dairy products. “We are not going to go broke and give the kitchen sink away, but we are going to make sure that there is food on your table,” Wince said.

Sticky Rice fans, a second location (with seating!) has opened at 707 E. Brady Street. The Lao-Thai restaurant — which has its original takeout location in Riverwest — serves up Lao sausage and beef jerky, drunken noodles, pad Thai, fried rice, curry and other plates. The new counter-service spot will feature dishes not available in Riverwest, such as pork belly, and is adding imported beers and other drinks soon. Hours at the Brady Street restaurant are 3 to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Online ordering for carryout at both locations is available through the website, stickyricemke.com.

Beef laab, the meat salad seasoned with mint, cilantro, lime juice and fish sauce, is on the menu at Sticky Rice.
Beef laab, the meat salad seasoned with mint, cilantro, lime juice and fish sauce, is on the menu at Sticky Rice.

Here are the talkers

It's looking like Milwaukee will likely host the Republican National Convention in the summer of 2024. Last week, a GOP site selection panel picked Brew City as the host city for the event. The full Republican National Committee must approve the choice during its summer meeting in Chicago, Aug. 2-5. The host committee plans on raising $65 million for the event, which is expected to lure up to 50,000 visitors and provide a $200 million economic boost. Nashville was the other finalist, and could still be selected by the full RNC.

Milwaukee Ald. Chantia Lewis was removed from office Monday after her conviction in Milwaukee County court on two felonies related to her conduct in office. Lewis — who made a base salary of $73,222 a year as a Common Council member — represented the 9th Aldermanic District on the city's northwest side and briefly entered the Democratic race for U.S. Senate. Prosecutors said she took at least $21,666 in campaign funds and false travel reimbursements from the city between 2016 and 2020. With Lewis' departure, three of the 15 Common Council seats are now vacant.

Five candidates running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate — Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry, state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson and nonprofit executive Steven Olikara — took part in a one-hour televised debate Sunday night at Marquette University's Varsity Theatre. Here are seven takeaways from the big event.

Candidates, from left, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry, Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson and nonprofit executive Steven Olikara during the Democratic U.S. Senate debate at Marquette University's Varsity Theatre in Milwaukee on Sunday, July 17, 2022. It was the first televised debate of Wisconsin's campaign season before the Aug. 9 primary.

Be MKE,

Hannah

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To see what I'm up to around the city, follow me on Instagram @hannahhopekirby. Always keeping it pretty profesh over on Twitter @hannahhopekirby. Be MKE love or comments can be sent to hannah.kirby@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Be MKE: Bucks championship anniversary, the new museum, big RNC update