After almost nine years as manager, Jay Nelson found himself standing outside the popular downtown Milwaukee convenience store, Downtown Market & Smoke Shop. The site had grown to be an essential component of the neighborhood. A frequent customer came up to him on this particular day as he was observing the environment. Her arms were wide as she welcomed him, hoping that something as basic as a bottle of wine could provide the struggling company with some much-needed help.
In addition to being a cordial conversation, this encounter represented the larger community’s attempt to help small businesses succeed in the face of hardship. Aware of the importance of communal unity during these trying times, Nelson embraced her with great gratitude.
This helpful exchange took place against the backdrop of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in 2024, which had a significant impact on the downtown neighborhood where the Downtown Market & Smoke Shop was situated. A vast security zone that surrounded much of Milwaukee’s downtown for more than a week had been surrounded by high metal fencing, which had changed the face of the city. Inadvertently creating significant hurdles for nearby companies, this fencing was put in place to maintain security for the high-profile event. Many stores’ regular operations were severely affected in addition to being physically restricted from entry by the security measures.
The announcement that Milwaukee would host the RNC had initially been met with enthusiasm and high expectations. City officials, including Mayor Cavalier Johnson, had publicly promised that the convention would bring a substantial economic boost to the city. Johnson had envisioned a surge in business activity, encouraging residents to spend generously and contribute to a thriving local economy during the event. However, the reality was far from the optimistic projections. Instead of experiencing an influx of customers and increased revenue, many local businesses found themselves struggling under the weight of the security barriers and the resultant drop in foot traffic.
Samir Saddique, the owner of both Downtown Market & Smoke Shop and the neighboring Avenue Liquor, was particularly disheartened by the outcome. He described the RNC as having delivered “a lot of nothing,” capturing his frustration with the event’s failure to provide the anticipated economic benefits. The security fencing had drastically reduced foot traffic and sales, with Saddique’s liquor store recording only 10% of its usual sales by the final day of the convention. This dramatic decline in revenue highlighted the stark contrast between the promised economic uplift and the actual impact on local businesses. Saddique’s characterization of the situation as being “barricaded away from the rest of the world” underscored the isolation felt by these businesses, cut off from the potential influx of convention-goers and the usual vibrancy of downtown.
The impact was not confined to Saddique’s establishments alone. Across the Milwaukee River, on the opposite side of the RNC’s secure zone, Elwood’s Liquor & Tap, a bar known for its lively atmosphere, experienced a similarly bleak situation. The bar manager, Sam Chung, noted that despite the high expectations for economic gain, the convention had instead resulted in a significant decline in business. The bar, typically bustling with activity, had only one customer during a normally busy happy hour. Chung attributed this downturn to the disruptions caused by the convention, including logistical challenges and potential political factors. He suggested that some regular customers might have been deterred from visiting due to the event’s political context, reflecting the broader sense of disappointment among local business owners.
Claire Koenig, a spokesperson for Visit Milwaukee, indicated that comprehensive economic impact reports would take several months to compile. This delay meant that the immediate financial effects of the RNC on local businesses were still uncertain, leaving many business owners grappling with the gap between their expectations and the reality they faced. The promises made by city officials had not materialized into the economic benefits that had been anticipated, contributing to a sense of frustration and unmet expectations among those who had hoped for a substantial financial boost.
Some found unique ways to voice their unhappiness despite the economic challenges. 21-year-old barista Adam Buker utilized music as a means of protesting while working close to one of the convention’s entrances. Playing music by gay musicians all week, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation and brought attention to the general irritation felt by certain residents. In response to the convention’s alleged detrimental effects on the community, Buker personally demonstrated resistance through his acts.
Milwaukee suffered greatly as a result of the Republican National Convention in 2024, especially its small companies. Many local establishments had a dismal financial consequence as a result of the installation of security barriers and the ensuing isolation from potential clients. Nelson, Saddique, Chung, and Buker’s experiences were representative of a larger story in which small companies in the area were having difficulty dealing with the practical effects of hosting high-profile events. Small businesses have difficulty managing the complexities of such large-scale events, as evidenced by the discrepancy between the promised economic benefits and the actual results. A tribute to local communities’ resiliency and capacity for camaraderie in the face of hardship is the tale of Milwaukee’s reaction to the RNC.
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