May 2008

This month at Metropawlis:

We hope our May newsletter finds you well!  Maybe it's the economy and the price of gas, maybe it's the tiring political season, or maybe it's the fact the darn thermometer doesn't seem able to stay above 60, but everyone seems stressed these days.  To help relax you, we're going to share some fun YouTube videos, offer you some deals, and invite you and your pets to a special Buddy Brunch.

The Economy, Metropawlis, & Buying Local

It seems that lately everyone is asking us:  How are things going for you with the economy the way it is? We appreciate the concern of our customers and would like to let you know we're hanging in there.  But we do have a favor to ask (since you asked)!

As family budgets tighten, more people look for bargains at big box stores, and this hurts the small businesses owned by your neighbors.  The need to seek out bargains is understandable, but right now things are slow for small retailers of all varieties.  In the pet business, we've seen some small locally-owned shops close their doors in the past year, and the pressure is increasing; pet retailer message boards and industry publications are full of stories about small stores closing for good.

With this in mind, the favor we'd like to ask is this: Please consider supporting the mom-and-pop stores in Milwaukee.  When you do, this will aid the local economy and help keep Milwaukee a fun and interesting place.

At Metropawlis, we'll continue to work hard to earn your business.  We're doing our best to shop for unique and original items that will fit your (and our) pocketbook, and we're striving to keep our prices as low as possible despite increases in shipping costs.  More importantly, we can offer you a group of dedicated people who work hard seven days a week to make sure your experience coming into our store is a good one for you and your pet. We hope you'll visit soon! 

More New Reasons to Visit the Ward

Last month we told you about two new businesses that recently opened in the Ward, Vino 100, offering 100 great wines for $25 or less, and Fratello’s Waterfront Restaurant, a new Wisconsin-owned eatery that opened on the Riverwalk. 

More new establishments are opening and are eager for your visit!  The following are now open or will be opening in the next couple of weeks:  Allen Kitchen & Bath (102 N. Water St.) offers award-winning design and remodeling at competitive prices. Hot Pop (213 N. Broadway) is still under construction, but will be soon be offering toys, sneakers, apparel, art, accessories, and "freshness."  Rustico's (223 N. Water St.), a restaurant run by Brian Zarletti, will soon be offering gourmet pizzas.  And guys, if you're looking for something to do while the gals shop, Fanatics (185 N. Jefferson St.), Milwaukee's newest sports bar, is just four blocks from our store.

As the weather turns warmer, please visit the Historic Third Ward to see what's new.

Buddy Brunch: Saturday, May 10th

Please mark your calendar right now!  (We'll stop and wait for you to do so.)

Join us for our free Buddy Brunch on Saturday, May 10th from 11 am to 1 pm.  We'll have complimentary coffee, donuts and treats for your dog! Enter to win a $25 gift card from Metropawlis! And everything in the store will be 10% off (excluding pet stroller and bakery.)  (Don't worry, you can come without your pet, if you want.)

VIP Specials: 50% Off Unique Pet Items

This month’s VIP special is 50% off the following products:

Metal Morphosis Dog Leash Holders: Hang that dog leash up in style. These lead-free pewter leash hooks are made with lots of love in the USA. They also make a thoughtful, inexpensive gift for the dog person in your life.

Pet Birthday Candle Holders: The pet candle holder is the perfect keepsake to remember your pet’s special day! Add this to a special doggy cake handmade by Three Amigos Bakery! Made in the USA of lead-free pewter.

Wetnoz Pet Bowls:  This award-winning line has been a stylish favorite at Metropawlis.  Made from highly polished surgical grade stainless steel with non-skid rubber feet and handles, these unique pet supplies will complement any lifestyle.  This offer valid while our supplies last, including the Big Pooch Bowl, Boosters, and Fat Cat Dish.

New Cat and Dog Products in Store

With summer approaching, we’re stocking our shelves with products that will make traveling with your pet easier! Our travel items are great for cars, boating, walks, hikes, beach outings and camping. Our new products include:

2-in-1 food and water bowls: Just add food to the bottom and zip closed, then add water to the top and tighten the drawstring completely. Great for cars, walks, hikes, beach outings and camping. If convenience is important to you, try our disposable food/water bowls – great for the pet parent on the go!

Doggie BackPacks: Our backpacks offer a great ergonomic fit around the shoulder that helps fight fatigue. Features include: wide mouth openings, expandable packs, inner storage compartments, reflective trim, convenient D-rings and adjustable handle.

Kitty Hoots ShowGulls:  For your felines, check out our new selection of Kitty Hoots toys! Kitty Hoots ShowGulls are all about glitz-n-glamour! Kitties just can't resist the shimmy shimmy shake of their tail feathers, and one whiff of the catnip will keep your cat calling for an encore. Enjoy the show!

Kitty Garden Mitt:  Designed for ultimate kitty activation, the Garden Mitt brings 'em running and keeps 'em entertained for hours. It's all in the bait, the mighty fine kitty lures which contain catnip. The kitty lures are removable and interchangeable with all the Catfisher cat toys. The elastic bands allow your cat to tug and pull on the lures. The comfortable canvas glove will protect your hands from kitty scratches and nips during play time.

Pets Doing the Darnedest Things on YouTube

Here are some of the new heartwarming, amazing, and hilarious pet videos on YouTube:

  • Malric Kittens:  I laughed out loud at this one.  A litter of cats bop to music (thanks to an off-camera laser pointer.) 
  • Sleeping Puppy:  This adorable Golden Retriever puppy could find a more comfortable and convenient place to fall asleep, don't you think?
  • Socks the Cat:  A fond look back on Socks the Cat's time in the Clinton White House, featuring a Johnny Cash soundtrack.  (Socks, born 1991, is alive and well, living with former Clinton secretary, Betty Currie.)
  • Ramsey and Pablo Happy Together:  These two pooches even have their own Web site, but we included this link because we're fans of The Turtles "Happy Together."
  • Bud the Cat:  Bud used "five of his nine lives" crawling into an underground pipe.  He disappeared for five days and was rescued thanks to a caring Roto-Rooter employee.
  • Pete the Skateboarding Dog:  I've seen extreme dogs before, but this one may be the best.  Watch him master the skateboard park!  (The video is cute as can be, but some of the comments contain mature language, for some reason.) 

Getting through the Marquette Interchange & Parking

Marquette InterchangeGetting to the Third Ward may seem difficult because of the Marquette Interchange Project, but it isn't!  Driving to Metropawlis from the north, south, or west is still very easy.  .  Click the icon at the right to receive up-to-date driving directions!

And parking nearby is plentiful!  Here's a tip:  Many folks stick to Water and Broadway Streets when seeking parking, but there's a lot more parking to be found just a block or two to the east, on Milwaukee and Jefferson Streets.  There are also three lots and structures within a couple blocks:

  • Milwaukee Public Market: The entrance to the parking lot behind the MPM is off of Water Street, between St. Paul and Clybourn. You can park free for the first hour (with MPM purchase)six days a week, and parking is free in this lot all day on Sundays.
  • Parking Garages: rages: The Third Ward has two large parking garages available for visitors. These can be found on the northeast corner of Milwaukee & Chicago Streets (212 N. Milwaukee St.) and the southeast corner of Water & Chicago Streets (225 E. Chicago St.

Is This Month Your Pet's Birthday?

In the month of your pet's birthday you can visit our Third Ward store, and your pet will receive a free complimentary birthday treat as well as a 25% discount on all purchases made during that visit (excluding bakery treats, clearance items and pet strollers).  To enjoy these special birthday benefits, your pet must be signed up in our database.  If he or she isn't a VIP with Metropawlis yet, simply let us know your pet's name and birthday when you visit the store or by email at PetLover@Metropawlis.com

About Metropawlis, the VIP list, and Unsubscribing

Metropawlis is Milwaukee's Unique Boutique for the Urban Pet. If you are receiving this e-mail message, you signed up for our VIP list at our site, our store, or at some other event.

We hope you won't unsubscribe, but if you must you may do so easily at the bottom of this message. Before you do, please note:

  • You will not get more than one message per month from us!
  • Each message will contain savings available only to Metropawlis VIPs.
  • You may unsubscribe easily at any time, if you ever wish to do so.
  • We respect your privacy. Visit Legal Stuff on our Web site to learn more.

Thank you for signing up for our VIP list! We hope to see you soon.

Augie & Geri Ray
Metropawlis
petlover@metropawlis.com
317 North Broadway
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414.273.PETS (7387)