The Historic Third Ward is one of the oldest sections of Milwaukee, and at first glance, it looks as if it hasn't changed all that much since the turn of the century when it was rebuilt nearly from scratch after a devastating fire. Faded advertisements for tonics, shoe stores and other companies that went out of business decades ago still adorn the sides of many of these classic Milwaukee buildings.

After the 1892 blaze, the once-Irish neighborhood became home to the immigrants arriving from Porticello, Sicily, and other Italian towns and cities. When "urban renewal" came in the 1960s, the Third Ward was demolished, almost wholesale and became something of a dead zone.

Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places as having the largest collection of turn-of-the-century warehouses in the country, the Historic Third Ward is once again alive and kicking. Many of the warehouses have been converted to office space, condos, art galleries and restaurants and the Third Ward is now at its most vibrant (at least since the bustling Italian neighborhood vanished).

A walk around the neighborhood reveals a changing and evolving Third Ward. Over the last 10 years, the number of residents alone has grown from just 125 to well over 1,000. The new Milwaukee Public Market, the new anchor of the neighborhood, shines brightly, an expanded Riverwalk runs through it and with more than 90 merchants seated just three blocks south of downtown proper, the Third Ward is sitting pretty. Along with its great antique stores, the neighborhood is also home to cutting-edge and unique fashions, specialy retail and more. Make sure to plug that meter (but, remember you don't have to on weekends), and off you go into our revised Third Ward guide:

Apparel & Accessories:

Ayeshaz ayeshazboutique.com
517 E. Menomonee St., (414) 390-0389

Handbags, jewelry, sunglasses, clothing, candles and gifts make this boutique perfect for the metropolitian woman.

East Town Women's Resale Shop easttownwomensresale.com
159 N. Broadway, 2nd Floor, (414) 273-1030

Unbelievably, this place has been a fashionable and classy consignment store since 1928. Specializing in designer and brand name fashions, furs, accessories, jewelry and gifts, this store is a blast from Milwaukee's past.

Freckle Face frecklefaceboutique.com
407 E. Buffalo St., (414) 298-1488

This children's boutique opened in summer 2005 and specializes in clothing -- mostly funky, high-end lines and small emerging designers -- specialty gifts for kids, a fantastic selection of books, bedding and footwear.

Hers
309 N. Water St., (414) 273-4377

This glamorous boutique opened in April 2004, and offers women something that most other boutiques in the city do not: a maternity section.

J Bird Boutique jbirdboutique.com
415 E. Menomonee St., (414) 727-6553

This stylish boutique offers one-of-a-kind clothing, knits, candles, jewelry and lingerie. The inviting atmosphere suits events like shopping nights, bridal showers and stylist seminars on tips from storage to updating wardrobes.

Lela lelaboutique.com
321 N. Broadway, (414) 727-4855

Opened in Oct. 2003 and sparking the fashion sensibilty of the Ward, Lela is a fashion-forward women's boutique featuring local designers and one-of-a-kind items from New York and Chicago. A blend of high-end consignment, gifts and a funky space on old Commission Row make it a unique stop. (Co-owner Stephanie Sherman is wife of OMC co-owner Jeff Sherman).

This jewelry store has been rated in the top 25 jewelry stores in America, showing more than 50 nationally known artists.

Metro Eye metroeye.biz
301 N. Water St., (414) 727-5888

You know the neighborhood's on the up when the eye doctor and her sylish frames move in. Metro Eye meets your eyeware and eye care needs.

Moda3 moda3.com
320 E. Buffalo St., (414) 273-3333

An alternative to boutique shopping, Moda3 is the Third Ward's only skate shop with plenty of "streetwear" apparel and equipment for snowboarding and skateboarding. Great fashions for the non-boarder, too.

(shOO)
241 N. Broadway, 1st Floor, (414) 765-2355

In an attempt to create the kind of shoe shopping experience that prompts the "I must have these!" response, Shoo owner Kate Blake carries brands that she describes as "almost like art." The majority of her inventory is European, with labels out of Italy, France, Spain and London.

Sprout! sproutkid.com
320 E. Buffalo St., (414) 289-0844

Opening in November 2004, Sprout was the first children's store in the Third Ward. They've recently moved to a new location in the Dye House, but they still sell the coolest clothes and toys for kids ages 0 to 6.

Third Ward Jewelry
241 E. Buffalo St., (414) 289-0886

Handmade jewelry in various media by more than 75 American and European artists.

Furniture, Home and Decor:

CabinetWerks Design Studio cabinetwerksdesignstudio.com
241 N. Broadway, (414) 270-1900

Design your kitchen or bath with an unique, personal touch from CabinetWerks.

Colleen Horner colleenhorner.com
191 N. Broadway, (414) 298-9969

Need tile or stone? How about amazing minimalist style for your bathroom? Colleen Horner has everything you need to upscale your dwelling.

Cranston -- Accents for Life cranstonaccents.com
250 N. Water St., (414) 289-9880

Unique home decor and accents for everyday living, entertaining and special occasions. Bed, bath, lifestyles, dining, kitchen, seasonal and gifts in a cool space.

Lev's Audio Video LevsAudio.com
130 N. Jefferson St., (414) 963-9928

Your iPod is great, but Lev's hooks up your high performance stereo and home theater systems.

Dinesen's Leather Only
231 E. Buffalo St., (414) 277-7747

The finest leather chairs, sofas and furniture around. New to the Ward, they also have an outlet location in East Town.

Mitchell Leather Outlet
226 N. Water St., (800) 583-0946

Since 1968, Jerry Mitchell has been making some of the finest leather bags, wallets, attaches and briefcases. Mitchell is Milwaukee's leather expert.

pieces piecesmilwaukee.com
240 N. Milwaukee St., (414) 273-2250

pieces, with a small "p," sells custom, contemporary furniture, fabric selections and funky home decor for your condo, loft or home.

Rubin's rubinsfurniture.com
224 E. Chicago St., (414) 278-8100

Contemporary and styling, Rubin's is the place for Scandinavian influenced designed sofas, chairs, living room, dining room and bedroom sets and every room in between.

Urban Kitchenwares urbankitchenwares.com
151 N. Water St., (414) 319-1164

Everything you need to be a chef in your own home with contemporary products that blend design with function. Cooking classes offered, too.

Verlo Mattress Factory Store verlo.com
201 N. Water St., (414) 298-9701

Everyone needs a mattress, right? Get a better night's sleep for a good price at Verlo.

Art Galleries:

Art on Broadway
203 N. Broadway, (414) 271-3004

A truly unique array of fine arts, crafts and art-to-wear by local artisians.

Eisner Museum eisnermuseum.org
208 N. Water St., (414) 847-3290

Just because it's called a museum and not a gallery doesn't mean there isn't a fair share of beautiful and interesting art to look at. Placing an unique emphasis on the social, historical and aesthetic implications of advertising and design, the Museum honors innovative design of the past and present.

Elaine Erickson Gallery eericksongallery.com
207 E. Buffalo St., (414) 221-0613

The gallery focuses on contemporary paintings, works on paper and sculpture. Both abstract and representational works are featured, as well as surrealism..

Eye Level Framing eyelevelframing.com
409 E. Buffalo St., (414) 431-5050

Matting, framing and installation of art. Wholesale framing for galleries/artists too.

Gallery 218 gallery218.com
207 E. Buffalo St., (414) 643-1732

This 14-year-old gallery is operated by local artists.

Gallery H20 galleryh2o.com
221 N. Water St., (414) 271-8032

The folks at H2O say that art is like water -- it is elemental and basic to life. Their 7-year-old gallery is dedicated to this belief and the support of the local art community.

Katie Gingrass Gallery gingrassgallery.com
241 N. Broadway, (414) 289-0855

Even if your mother is hard to shop for, you will find a gift for her here. The gallery specializes in twists on the traditional, including clothing, house items and frames for pictures.

Picture Perfect pp-art.com
320 E. Buffalo St., (414) 271-3712

A wide variety of posters, prints and more. A ton of sports shots, wildlife prints, vintage work and more.

M-80 stellafortunato.com
207 E. Buffalo St., (414) 223-4502

Formerly "Luckystar Studio," this studio and gallery specializes in custom pop art for home and business.

Thomas Queoff Sculpture Studio queoffstudio.com
231 E. Buffalo St., (414) 224-6086

Sculpture studio specializing in bronze.

Tory Folliard Gallery toryfolliard.com
233 N Milwaukee St., (414) 273-7311

This gallery is a showcase for nationally and internationally recognized painters and sculptors. It features still-life, abstract, landscape and figurative works of art in all media.

VP Gallery Vpphotogallery.com
320 E. Buffalo St., (866) 498-9894

This gallery is devoted exclusively to the art of photography to individual and corporate enthusiasts. Collection includes Open, Limited and Master Editions.