EastSide Retail Survival Fund

Beard MKE and The Waxwing have been supporting each other on North Ave as kindred retail shops who share the similar goal of supporting local art and creating space in the community where everyone is welcome.

On March 17th we made the difficult decision to close before any city mandates were enforced in order to do our part to flatten the curve. While we have tried to think ahead of this as it unfolds, nothing could have prepared us to close our doors to the public and our community.

The Waxwing, having been in business since 2012, was forced to lay off 6 employees after making sure they were paid through the end of  the month.
Beard MKE, having just passed their one year mark, are still in the early stages of business ownership and far from making any profit yet so survival was already a month to month situation.

Together both shops support over 400 makers and artists, mostly in the local Milwaukee community.

We are scrappy and resilient but also faced with large overhead and little income. We really want to remain standing when the dust has settled and continue to support our crews, our families and our creative community as we all find our way through this (which we will!)

We know that times are hard and uncertain for us all, but if you’ve found the perfect gift with one of us in the past or just want to make sure you can find the perfect gift in the future, any and all support will help us cover operating expenses and keep this little dream of ours alive.

If you’d prefer a little something in exchange for your funds, please shop with us at www.thewaxwing.com (yes you can find BeardMKE there too!)

Sending love and gratitude from the East Side!