Beans & Barley gift shop

Local and global goodies on Milwaukee's East Side

Though Beans & Barley is probably most well known for its healthy café creations, I love it just as much for its gift shop and mini marketplace. I’ve already written about their greeting cards — many from local Milwaukee artists — and those cards keep me coming back. It’s nice to know that, if I need a small gift to go with a card, I can usually count on Beans & Barley in that department, too.

The shop isn’t big, but its collection of must-have (or must-give) trinkets and treasures is vast. Recently I’ve bought die-cut dinosaur earrings, felted and paper garland, and whimsical candle-sticks as gifts for friends. I’ve also treated myself to some fancy soaps and a little mug with a dog that (if you squint) looks like Pippin.

There are giftables of the more practical variety: shapely candles (many made locally), exotic table linens, and charming kitchenware. There are children’s picture books and toys, richly-hued scarves, stone paper weights, and an aisle filled with tea in pretty tins.

Then there are the marvelously useless presents: pocket-sized music boxes, miniature rubber cats and “Frog to Prince” (just add water!), and crystal-growing kits. Though it’s off-season, this gift shop has “stocking stuffer” written all over it. Buying for people seems harder than ever these days, but I love knowing I can always turn to Beans & Barley for something small that’s sure to draw a smile.

Once you’ve found your gift of choice, there are not only the aforementioned awesome cards to pick from, but lovely wrappings, too. And as you do your shopping, you can order a drink or something to eat from the deli. Last time we were there, Adam and I shared a coco-kale smoothie (sounds awfully green, tastes awfully great!) and a tuna melt. Tasty eats while boutiquing — it's a shopper's dream!