In Bronzeville, there's frustration, disappointment about lack of RNC business

The economic boon businesses expected from the thousands descending on the city for the Republican National Convention hasn’t materialized yet.

And that’s true for restaurants along King Drive in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood less than a mile from Fiserv Forum, where the convention is taking place.

On Wednesday, businesses said their coffers aren’t overflowing with revenue. Some pointed to poor outreach among city officials and RNC planners about catering opportunities for private events from the convention or being included in visitor brochures.

Others pointed to the security perimeter encircling the RNC venues that may have prevented people from exploring the city.

“It’s almost like the security bubble is counteractive,” said Ray Hill, executive director of the Historic King Drive Business Improvement District.

“It’s restricting people from being able to move back and forth,” Hill said. “Even our locals that normally move around aren’t because they don’t want to deal with the hassle of the security zone.”

The BID partnered with several community groups to host trolley tours of businesses along King Drive. The effort was aimed to get out-of-town media professionals a chance to meet and talk to people.

The goal, Hill said, was to reframe the narrative of Milwaukee as always being on the “worst list” when it comes to Black Americans.

Hill wanted this to be an opportunity to provide a more nuanced understanding of the city and to bring exposure to businesses along the corridor. But the tours only had a few takers.

One business owner hoping things pick up is Adja Greer-Smith, owner of Confectionately Yours, 1920 N. King Dr. The bakery and coffee shop is in the African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin’s headquarters, a 20-minute walk from Fiserv Forum.

She stocked up on extra inventory in anticipation of an influx of customers that never really happened.

She was hoping to get opportunities to cater private events arising from the RNC. Greer-Smith said she catered under a dozen events for organizations during the lead-up to the city announcing Milwaukee as the RNC site.

Greer-Smith said she hoped those contacts would have circled back and used her catering business,

“Small businesses are definitely part of the growth of the economy,” she said. “It would be nice to have the support of the officials to help sustain us. This would have been a great time to show that support during this convention.”

Barry Green, owner of Bronzeville Kitchen and Lounge, was also hoping his establishment could have been rented for private events. Green did a total gut rehab on the building at 2053 N. King Dr., to make it more modern and classic. Opened in January, the 4,000-square-foot restaurant can accommodate nearly 200 guests.

“Nobody even reached out at all,” Green said.

That included the state GOP, which has a field office a block away.

The state GOP has been laying the groundwork to court people of color voters. Four years ago, it opened a satellite office on King Drive and opened a south side office to reach the city’s Hispanic population a year later.

Green said there was no publicity or advertising for businesses near Fiserv. The BID’s trolley tour was the only thing bringing attention to businesses along the corridor.

“Whoever is in charge of those things like that should have been able to think outside the box to get small businesses involved,” Green said. “Why would they (visitors) venture outside the security zone if they are offering everything they need right there.”

HoneyBee Sage Wellness & Apothecary, 1819 N. King Dr., also appreciated the trolley tour for bringing in customers. But the herbal tea store’s general manager, Kayla Hoggatt, said it’s been slow. The barricades, she noted, also made it challenging for regulars to patronize the shop.

“We made sure we were stocked and ready for whatever might come, but it didn't quite come,” Hoggatt said. “We were hopeful.”

Sam’s Place Jazz Cafe, 3338 N. King Dr., was buzzing Wednesday. But not with RNC conventioneers. Instead, it was the restaurant's normal staple of regulars.

Co-owner Lazonnie Belton took a more measured approach to the RNC. She wasn’t expecting a bump in business from the RNC and didn’t make any additional plans for it, either.

“But we are here, and we are open for everybody to come,” said Belton, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband, jazz musician and coffee aficionado, Sam Belton.

“We are ready just in case they come," she said, "and if they didn't, we were gonna be fine."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: In Milwaukee's Bronzeville, there's disappointment about RNC business