Blatz Grand Opening

The Grand Opening event at the Blatz went so well today!

I left the house around 10:15 this morning and arrived at the Blatz to help set up and make sure all was well with the food, musicians, etc. before the event started at noon. I hadn't seen the place in probably a month and boy, had a lot changed. All the dust and equipment was cleared and the place was sleek as ever.



I got the grand tour and took plenty of pictures, then at noon, it was time to roll. We weren't quite sure how many people to expect for the open house, but we guessed maybe 100 or 150. Well, the people began to pour in right at noon, and by 1:00 p.m. we'd done well over 150 and all the food that Holiday House had brought over – mini cheeseburgers, crab cakes, mushroom tarts, spring rolls, chips and guacamole - was nearly gone.

In a slight panic, I zipped over to Metro Market to see what they could whip up for me on a moment's notice. Realizing that I'd have a real hard time maneuvering two carts full of food into my car and then into the Blatz, I called Dave, who was at home enjoying his lazy Sunday, and he reluctantly came to help out. We were back with reinforcements – taco dip, spinach dip, fruit, cheese and sausage platters, cookies and more beverages – within 45 minutes or so, and then all THAT food was gone by 2:30!

When all was said and done, I'd say more than 500 people came through the doors throughout the four-hour event. It was awesome! But I suppose that's to be expected – you offer people free food, free Alterra coffee, free massages, and a chance to win a nice prize, of course they'll show up! I think there were quite a few attendees who were seriously interested in living there, which was great to see.

My feet are sore after running around in heels for six hours, and I'm bummed I didn't get to score any of the delicious food we were offering, but what can you do?

I'll put up some more of the photos I took there today at the end of the post, so click if you want to see.

Dave and I hit up the Oriental on Friday and the East Side Open Market yesterday, so I'll be back tomorrow or sometime this week so post about that.

For now, it's time to hit the couch for dinner and a movie. Later!

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I feel torn about whether I should be showcasing a place just because my agency does work for them. But hey – this blog is about my life and Milwaukee, right? I'd say this falls into both categories. This is where I was today – and I thought it was totally cool and worth sharing!

Condo life isn't for me, especially since I want to start a family soon. But for those who do want to find a condo, or for those looking to move to Milwaukee, this is one of the options. Nice, huh? J

Revolving doors made of beer bottles

The Blatz Café

Food in the party room

Vita gym

Screening theater

Game room

Lap pool and jacuzzi

The models   

The rooftop deck

Comments

[Im Chele In LA]

I have been on the couch all day..
Since I worked all night..

Great spot..

Over from the other Michele's

[Disappointed Reader]

what do any of these articles have to do with "playing in the city" it's too bad that i thought i might be able to get hints and advice on fun things to do in milwaukee, but the blog has turned into a shameless plug for an ad agency and a wedding.

[Erin]

I have to beg to differ, Disappointed Reader. As you scroll down just on the first page, I do believe you’ll hear about the State Fair, the Milwaukee Public Market, the new Pier Wisconsin, Festa Italiana, Bastille Days, Summerfest, the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, and all kinds of upcoming events. And that’s JUST the front page. Check out “Favorite Posts” to the right and see all kinds of other fun Milwaukee activities.

But you’re right, there’s NOTHING about “playing in the city” on here. Silly me!

And don’t go there on the wedding thing – it’s a BIG, exciting part of my life right now and you can be SURE I’ll continue to talk about it.

I find your comment extremely rude and totally unwarranted, and I’m sure most people would agree with me. If you don’t like it here, don’t come back.

[Amanda]

Those condos are really amazing! Might just convince a girl (and her fiance...) to move to Milwaukee sooner than expected!

[Dave]

Keep this up and someone's going to start another Erin Leffelman hate club.

[Andre]

You can never have enough Erin hate clubs.

[Andre]

You know, the models look pretty nice if not a little nondescript. I kinda expected them to have a little more character than they do. They seem a little too trendy and sanitized. And do you think they could turn the lights up a little?

But like I said, the places look pretty nice, especially for the price. I do wonder what the unfinished ones look like.

[Krista]

I will TOTALLY live in those condos. Those are SWEET.

And also, screw the blog-haters. Blog-haters are just disappointed they a) can't write legibly, b) have nothing worth writing about and c) aren't planning a wedding. And never will. Oh, and d) have no life.

[Disappointed Reader]

Krista,

Well, like, TOTALLY, SWEET comments (done in my best valley girl impression). I'm am not dissapointed in not being able to "write legibly" I'm more dissapointed in not being able to decide which words to capitalize in my sentences for added effect.

Thanks for your thoughts on the ability of a person with an opinion on a blog to get married. I am TOTALLY never getting married now!

And if my posting reflects poorly on my life, fine - you really hit me where it hurts.

As far as the blog goes, I still think that it is a shameless plug for an ad agency and a wedding. Even though the author may not receive income for the blog (just a computer and equipment), I don't think that business and pleasure should be so easily inter-twined. These, of course, are just my opinions (just like this blog is opinion), but I'm sure that I will be a "blog hater." Blog Hater - a title that I must live with.

[Dave]

Why don't blog haters ever leave their email addresses?