After the Bucks added Gary Trent Jr. last week, we thought we’d do them one better and add a new face to our team too! We’d like to welcome Jack Trehearne as our newest contributor, who comes to us from a Land Down Under (don’t worry, the only plundering Jack does is of Raptors shooting guards) and is a former member of the Eastern Mavericks of the NBL1. That’s right: he’s a certified hooper. and we’re excited to have him aboard. We hope you’ll join us in welcoming him to the site and are looking forward to his content to come! Let’s let him introduce himself…

G’day Bucks fans! Sorry, you just know I had to start with some cheesy Aussie slang. I recently graduated from the University of South Australia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Professional Writing. I have formerly written for my university’s publication On The Record, Racing and Sports, as well as for my own Bucks-related blog from time to time. I am super excited to be joining the awesome team at Brew Hoop and have been welcomed with open arms. Thanks so much and Fear The Deer!

Want to see your name on our masthead? Let us know, on Twitter or via email.

The Republican National Convention was forecasted to have $200 million economic impact on Milwaukee

The balloons dropped. The delegates arrived and left with souvenirs along with promises to return to Milwaukee. Mayor Cavalier Johnson proclaimed mission accomplished, “We were able to elevate Milwaukee,” he said in a post-convention interview with the Journal Sentinel.

Even the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, noted the huge economic impact of hosting the convention on Milwaukee, quipping during his acceptance speech Thursday night that he was “trying to buy” Wisconsin’s vote. He put the impact at $250 million, though the official estimate is $200 million. The actual numbers will be closely scrutinized in the weeks and months to come with reports of disappointing sales from some downtown businesses.

As life downtown slowly returns to normal and we stop seeing Milwaukee and RNC on national news, we’d like your take on the convention and it’s impact on Milwaukee. This is not a question about the politics of the event. Indeed, the standard line from event organizers was that the RNC wasn’t about blue or red, but green.

We will begin posting your feedback as soon as grades start rolling in:

A big thanks to readers who have weighed in throughout the week about the convention, including:

Donald Trump’s acceptance speech: Rambling mess of falsehoods. I liked all of it! God spared this man for us!

The selection of J.D. Vance for VP: A Trump clone. Much-needed youth.

Your mood heading into the convention: Here is what you are most looking forward to, and dreading, about the RNC

Reaction to an attempted assassination: How you’re feeling after Saturday’s Trump rally shooting

MILWAUKEE — With Brady Street Fest and Northwestern Mutual’s Annual Conference happening this weekend, thousands of people are coming through Milwaukee. 

As downtown returns to normal following the Republican National Convention (RNC), businesses and residents are thrilled to see the crowds.

“Today feels like a normal Saturday after a slow start to the week. Yesterday and today have been bouncing back better,” Angela Heglund, the assistant manager at Broadway Paper, said.

On average, Heglund said the business typically makes $1500 daily. During the four days of the RNC, she said they didn’t hit $1000.

“There were a couple of days where I was like ‘Is it worth it to be open?’, Heglund questioned.

While the RNC brought in thousands of people across the country, other businesses told TMJ4 they had hoped for more RNC business.

On Brady Street, businesses and bartenders said they were shocked by the lack of people.

“I could accept not getting money out of the RNC, but to lose money? I lost several thousand dollars last weekend,” Hyacinth Nembhardt, the Owner of Concoctions, said. 

Kaylee Staral

That’s why Nembhardt and Heglun are glad to see so many people back in town.

On Brady Street, hundreds were out enjoying live music, food, drinks, and vendors at Brady Street Fest Saturday. 

Similarly, throughout downtown and beyond, financial associates with Northwestern Mutual are arriving in the city for the company’s 144th annual meeting.

A representative from Northwestern Mutual said they’re expecting nearly 11,000 people to visit, with guests staying at 35 hotels across Milwaukee, Brookfield, and Wauwatosa.

“For 41 years, we’ve come to Milwaukee and we love it,” Charlie Prothro, a conference attendee from Texas, exclaimed.

Kaylee Staral

“These are our roots. Our family will eat at the restaurants and spend money at the local merchants. We love it here.”

Northwestern Mutual anticipates an economic impact of $19 million for the city.

The boost is something businesses said is much needed.

“I think the money that we made during Summerfest and the money we’re going to make from the Northwestern conference will even out what we did not make during the RNC,” Heglund said.

Kaylee Staral

With Brady Street Fest Saturday and the Harley Davidson Homecoming Festival just around the corner, other businesses shared excitement for the busy summer ahead.

“Today feels like a big win. I’m looking forward to that for the rest of the summer. Milwaukee is a great place to do business,” Nembhardt smiled.

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