Winkie's — Local services in Whitefish Bay

While I've never been thrilled with the staff at Winkie's (it almost seems a burden to them to ask for any assistance), I always thought it charming enough to consider myself a patron. Not anymore. My daughter recently had an experience there that I'd consider deplorable at worst and disheartening at best. She had a half day at the middle school and decided to stop by and shop for some candy with two friends. They weren't running around or being loud and obnoxious...they were simply looking at which candy to purchase. The store manager, without provocation, ran up to them and shouted at them to get out of the store. Keep in mind that they were going to buy something. There were other kids in the store (can't speak to their behavior) and they were told to get out as well. Now I understand that babysitting a bunch of kids isn't a store manager's responsibility. But if the kids are behaving themselves and being responsible consumers, what's the problem? Additionally, how difficult would it be to enforce a limit on the number of minors in your store at one time? Many other retail establishments have and enforce that rule.

My wife followed up with a phone call to the manager to see if our daughter or her friends caused a problem that would warrant getting kicked out of the store. The manager was dismissive, rude and condescending. You would think an establishment that sells homogenous goods that can be found discounted anywhere on the internet would put a better face on their business. But apparently that's not the case. We live two blocks away and will never shop...

Winkie's has been around forever and one of those shops that will leave an impression. Located on the corner of Silver Spring and Lake Dr. In Whitefish Bay. Upstairs, there are beautiful items to decorate your home for every day and for the holidays. A wonderful selection of keepsake Hallmark ornaments and other treasures. Items here can be a bit pricey. They also have a delightful candy counter filled with favorite Chocolates. You will also find a nice selection of cards, baby baby items, and other gifts. Downstairs, you will find a variety of items, including hard to find oil cloth on the rolls, craft items, and candy from days long gone, including the Reggie bar for those that remember that. This floor is more of the 5&10 variety, but not at the prices of past variety stores. Unfortunately, this store is not accessible if you aren't able to get up a few stairs. My daughter was able to access the four stairs to get in while I lifted her wheelchair up them. One staff member told me we'd be able to use the freight elevator to get downstairs, but when we were ready to head down, the upstairs staff said it wasn't available to the public. This has happened to use once before when we came. Eventually, someone called downstairs, and the woman who initially said we could use it assisted us, along with a young man, with...

I stop in here rather often and generally each time I find something to buy. This store has two floors: a first floor and the basement.

The basement contains things like toys and puzzles, art and crafts, yarn, paper goods & school supplies plus household items. The first floor has candy, decorations, cards and party supplies, fancy dishes, clothing and a few other neat things.

Over the months I have found some very neat stuff here. I had found two beautiful hand crafted orange bowls for my apartment as lots of my things are orange - that was a cool find. And I've bought leggings here too one day - including a pair that had horses on them! The other day I stopped in I went into the basement and picked out some art supplies for a project I am doing. I also needed a new squirt bottle as the one I have had stopped working and they had one of those too. Oh and the very first time I was in here I had bought a few packs of cards with envelopes...and I had thought I had gotten a good deal on those too. Oh and the cute little donkeys and horse figurines! I just love horses!

The bags they use are pretty sturdy and I never had a problem with carrying my things home, even the heavy ceramic bowls.

The employees here are always polite and happy to help you.

Generally I stop in here each time I go up to Silver...