It's "Madison Week" at OnMilwaukee.com. We sent our editorial staff to check out bars, restaurants, retail outlets and cultural venues in order to uncover some of the best of Wisconsin's second-largest city.
MADISON -- State Street helps paint Madison as the colorful college town that it is. This downtown shopping, dining and general people-watching district is still the epicenter of energy that it became famous for decades ago.
It's got it all -- fun national chains, independent shops and locally-owned boutiques along a lively six-block stretch from the state's capital to the University of Wisconsin campus.
Here is a snapshot of the experience.
A Room of One's Own Bookstore
307 W. Johnson St., (608) 257-7888
www.roomofonesown.com
In addition to specializing in women's literature, this independent Downtown bookstore serves as a meeting place for community groups supporting women's and gay rights. A cozy two-room space, A Room of One's Own contains non-gender-related children's books, a large selection of women's literature as well as sections dedicated to gay and lesbian studies. Although small in space, the store is often packed with readers, researchers and politically active Madison locals.
B-Side Records
436 State St., (608) 255-1977
www.b-sidemadison.com
Since 1982, B-Side has been Madison's -- and arguably the state's -- best independent record shop. Even when other places could match B-Side's passion, few have been able to match the shop's wide-ranging selection on CD and vinyl. Despite the tough economic times, B-Side still has, for example, a fine, up-to-date reggae section and a good folk bin, too. But the hard times have hit State Street, according to co-owner Steve Manley. "I remember when there were seven (record) stores right on this street," he recalls. "Now there's us, Exclusive Company -- but they're big -- and a specialty punk and metal place and that's it." Unlike what people say about taverns, music shops -- especially in the digital age -- are far from recession-proof. "It's definitely affected us," Manley says. "The whole year has been bad but it got worse once fall came. Maybe being in a college town has helped us." Let the closing of Atomic be a lesson to state music lovers. Patronize B-Side now instead of lamenting its loss later.
Community Pharmacy
341 State St., (608) 251-3242
www.communitypharmacy.coop
Community Pharmacy began back in the early '70s during the height of the counter-culture movement as student-run program to provide affordable prescription drugs and health care products. Today the pharmacy, which balances conventional, Western medicine with alternative, preventative practices, is operated as a workers cooperative. No management hierarchy exists here amongst the knowledgeable, dedicated staff and that translates to a friendly, welcoming place of health resources and education. In addition to being a full-on prescription pharmacy, the large State Street staple has everything you think you need and them some, including nutritional supplements and bulk herbs, cruelty-free body and hair care, a vast variety of safer sex supplies, cold and flu remedies and household items such as water purification devices, handmade soaps and healthy snack and beverages.
Pipefitter
520 State St., Madison, (608) 257-2400
www.pipefittermadison.com
Since 1972, Pipefitter served as State Street's top head shop / novelty gift shop. According to manager John Novotny, the store has the largest rolling paper and pipe tobacco selection in Madison. Considering the shop's name, it's not surprising that the retail establishment boasts a large pipe selection, featuring smoking vessels made from glass, wood, marble and stone that range in price from $14 to $800. Madison artisans crafted more than half of the pipes. Although it's not for sale, the shop displays a five-foot-tall hookah. Novotny says hookahs are a huge seller, as well as shisha, the tobacco used in hookahs. Pipefitter features a wide selection of gift and novelty items, including snarky T-shirts, fun books, sexual gag gifts, games, lava lamps, posters and more. During October, Pipefitter transforms into a one-stop Halloween store. "This is our busiest time of year," says Novotny. "State Street goes insane during Halloween, and we're right in the middle of it."
Pop Deluxe
310 State St., (608) 256-1966
www.popdeluxe.net
If you're in the market for zombie angry mob action figures, ironic baby onesies, Japanese fashion watches, Holga cameras or a myriad of other campy kitsch, State Street's Pop Deluxe is your place. "It's a fun gift stop with unique items, and we're locally owned," says manager Mackenzie Holmes. "We specialize in pop culture and deluxe design, which is where our name comes from."
From Jonathan Adler purses to yodeling pickles, the five-year-old store seems to be doing well even during this unusual business climate -- apparently, people still need their kitsch fix. "We always have people in the store," says Holmes. The store also has a full eCommerce system, so you can get that LEGO iPod dock without even leaving the house.
