By SHELLY JANKE - GM Today Staff 

August 30, 2008

Brian Ogle of Woodbridge, Va., peeks into the window of the Fox Riverwalk Antique Mall in downtown Waukesha on Friday afternoon. The Weekend in Waukesha bike event has drawn thousands of visitors to downtown, and some local businesses have felt the impact.

Among the big sales were two men from Arizona on Wednesday and Thursday at the store, 234 W. Main St.

“They bought gifts for their wives and nothing for themselves,” Krumrich-Manke said.

After business kicked off to a somewhat slow start Thursday, retailers were happy as hogs in the mud as they watched hundreds of motorcyclists roll through the downtown area and park their bikes outside the shops.

Krumrich-Manke said that so far, this year’s celebration has brought in much more foot traffic than Harley’s 100th Anniversary celebration.

“It’s enjoyable,” she said. “They’re really nice people.”

‘Discovering Waukesha’

Across the street, Martha Merrell’s Books & Cafe owner Norm Bruce said window shoppers have stopped in to purchase copies of the book “Harley and the Davidsons: Motorcycle Legends.” Also for sale at the shop are unique Harley postcards.

Bruce said he’s happy with the exposure the downtown area is getting this weekend and expects more people and spending today and Sunday. 

Down the block at Hey Baby boutique, 259 W. Main St., owner Lin Bitto sat outside to watch the commotion in her sweater: orange, as in one of Harley’s signature colors. She’s had shoppers stop in to peruse her crafted Harley baby outfits, booties and hats.

While business got off to a slow start Thursday, Bitto said she expects to be busier today.

“I think it’s going to really pick up,” she said.

Shelly Janke can be reached at sjanke@conleynet.com

For full story, go to the electronic version of The Freeman. Click here to access the electronic version.