Ten years after the tragic shooting of Sylville Smith sparked unrest in Sherman Park, the Sherman Phoenix Marketplace stands as a tangible sign of recovery for Milwaukee families and entrepreneurs. Housed in a former bank at 3536 W. Fond du Lac Avenue, the marketplace opened in November 2018 and has become a hub where small‑business owners work side‑by‑side, sharing resources and community support.
From 27 to a Sustainable Core of Businesses
When the Phoenix first opened, it hosted 27 businesses. Over the years the number of tenants grew to about 60, though today the space houses roughly 16 active enterprises. Owners credit the collaborative environment for their ability to launch, survive, and expand.
Barber Alan Moore, who runs 2 Kings Barbershop, says the marketplace feels like a “small Black Wall Street.” He notes that working alongside restaurateurs, retailers, and artists has broadened his perspective and helped his business grow. Visitors from as far as New York and Chicago have toured the Phoenix, hoping to replicate its model in their own communities.
Success Stories Born Inside the Phoenix
Several notable businesses began within the marketplace, including Funky Fresh, The Classic Shoppe, and Honey Bee Sage Wellness & Apothecary. Confectionately Yours, a bakery‑turned‑café founded by Adija Greer‑Smith, illustrates the Phoenix’s impact. After joining months before the grand opening, Greer‑Smith launched her bakery with the help of co‑founder JoAnne Sabir. When the COVID‑19 pandemic forced a shutdown, she organized a cookie drive that donated nearly 30,000 cookies, keeping the brand visible and building goodwill.
Post‑pandemic, corporate catering orders helped sustain the bakery, and in 2021 it expanded to a second location inside the African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin on N. Martin Luther King Drive. Today Confectionately Yours employs eight staff members and operates as a full‑service café, catering company, and event venue.
Leadership Changes and Ongoing Challenges
The marketplace has faced internal turnover. President and CEO Stacia Thompson left in October 2025, and Interim Executive Director Romero McCants stepped in. McCants acknowledged past delinquent property‑tax payments but said the organization is now focused on a three‑year strategic plan that strengthens internal capacity, expands community engagement, and bolsters support for tenant businesses.
Retail and food‑service tenants continue to feel pressure from broader economic trends, making local patronage essential. Co‑founder JoAnne Sabir, now a strategic consultant based in Florida, reflects on the Phoenix’s evolution: “It’s an entrepreneurial home, an ecosystem, a hub and a model for community advancement.” She adds that the project has grown beyond her original vision, answering a call to action that still resonates in Milwaukee.
Looking Ahead to the Second Decade
As the Sherman Phoenix enters its second decade, owners and community members see both promise and the need for continued support. Some businesses have made the Phoenix their permanent home; others view it as a launchpad to larger ventures. The lasting legacy, according to participants, is not just the storefronts but the relationships, mentorship, and collective spirit that continue to nurture new entrepreneurs in Sherman Park.
Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.
