It's a busy Black Friday at small businesses around Southeast Wisconsin.
While the day-after-Thanksgiving shopping is typically associated with large retailers and malls, small shops in the area were offering deals and discounts to attract customers.
Diane Latinovich, the owner of Diane's Designs in Downtown West Allis, usually sees an uptick in business on Black Friday.
Her jewelry store was offering discounts on different items this year as a special.
She thinks the location, in Downtown West Allis, also helps attract shoppers.
"People still want that hometown feeling," Latinovich said. "They still want to see you, one and one, and touch that item, they want to see what it's like."
At the Bronzeville Collective MKE—a building at Vel Phillips Ave. and North Ave. that houses several small businesses—there were Black Friday discounts available. Shoppers who spent more than $25 also got a free gift.
Business owners like Lilo Allen, of Papyrus & Charms, said they believe many Milwaukeeans enjoy shopping for locally-made products.
"It's been pretty busy," Allen said. "There were people at the door when we showed up."
"We provide a place in Bronzeville where the community can just come, gather, and shop," Allen said.
The businesses inside the Bronzeville Collective MKE, as well as Diane's Designs, also said they'll be offering discounts and deals on Saturday as part of Small Business Saturday.
