My Wauwatosa Staycation: Genyne E.

Genyne Edwards
March 19, 2021

With the start of a new year, I was anxiously looking for creative ways I could spend some quality time with my husband, away from the four walls of our home. We usually make travel plans in January, but, with our new reality of living through a pandemic, we had to play it safe.

When the weekend comes, it is usually our time to unwind. So during a weekend in late January, we decided to venture West, beyond the Bronzeville area, to Wauwatosa (better known as Tosa by us locals).

Considering last summer’s protests, as a Black woman, I can admit it had been a while since we’d spent any time in the Wauwatosa area. However, we were open to having a pleasant experience, so we headed out for a day of shopping.

Starting the day at Rocket Baby Bakery

We started at Rocket Baby Bakery to grab some of their famous pastries and coffee. It was very easy (and safe) to place our online order, and we were happy to pick it up at their heated service window.

While enjoying breakfast in the car, we noticed how active it was – people were actually walking up and down the streets in East Tosa! It felt very alive even with masks and social distancing.

Shopping and lunch at Mayfair Mall

My dad’s birthday was coming up, so we headed off to the Mayfair Collection and Nordstrom at Mayfair Mall. I was able to find a nice faux throw blanket for him on sale. Winning!

After a couple of hours of shopping, we were ready for lunch, and I remembered Ruscello was on the lower level, inside of Nordstrom. It is a hidden gem with many great options and a curated list of wines.

Happy Hour at Eldr+Rime

After a great lunch, I told my husband I wasn’t ready to go home, so I urged him to take me across the parking lot to the Renaissance Hotel. After hearing so much about it coming to the area, I was curious to know how it looked inside. I called to ask about their COVID guidelines and was provided with the details on how they have taken every safety precaution possible.

We went over to the hotel and, by this time, it was happy hour, so we stopped at Eldr+Rime (the hotel bar and restaurant) to enjoy our favorite cocktail.

Overnight accommodations at the Renaissance Hotel

All of a sudden it hit me! … We should stay overnight and enjoy the rest of our evening. I went to speak to one of their staff to see what was possible. The customer service was exceptional, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a diverse staff that was willing to go the extra mile to provide the best rate.

I’m all about having a clean, nice ambiance and this room certainly didn’t disappoint. The room was huge and included beautiful hardwood floors, a large bathroom, tons of wall storage, and modern décor throughout the space. They made our stay extra special by giving us a corner room on the 11th floor with great views of North Ave and Mayfair Mall.

The next morning, we were pleased there was a brunch option, so we ate a fabulous brunch before checking out.

Done and done – an unexpected, relaxing weekend in Tosa and the Renaissance Hotel. I would recommend you put Tosa on your list of places to experience this season.

About Genyne

Partner of Milwaukee-based consulting firm, P3 Development Group, Genyne Edwards, a culture + arts enthusiast who lives and works in the historic Bronzeville District, but loves to explore the hidden gems of Wauwatosa.

Genyne is a reputable leader in the Greater Milwaukee area who has leveraged her passion for people and solving problems to work across diverse business sectors. With her unique leadership style she has collaborated on several local projects to design strategic solutions to improve the community. Recently, she was recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal as a Woman of Influence in Innovation and an award recipient of Diversity in Business.

Genyne’s passion for arts, culture, entertainment has led her to launch a new lifestyle and hospitality initiative called Black Pineapple this year. Guided by her adventurous spirit, she shares her staycation experience in Tosa to give you some ideas on how you can plan a nice getaway with minimum effort.

Discover Wauwatosa wants to ensure you have a safe and healthy travel experience. Learn more about where to stay, where to eat, and things to do while you’re here in Wauwatosa.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, please check the local hotel and travel restrictions and retail and restaurant hours/menus before you go.

Header photo courtesy of @renaissancemilwaukeewest