A new business started by a South Milwaukee resident, advertised as a “trippy little gift shop,” has found its home and opened for business.
Monique Jahnke of South Milwaukee, an artist who really wanted her own store, opened Mom’s Trip on May 4. It is located in the lower level at 916 Milwaukee Ave. in South Milwaukee.
What does Mom’s Trip sell?
At the store, Jahnke makes and sells clothing designs, soaps, roll-on essential oils and art from recycled materials.
Jahnke said she makes mini prints, which are smaller versions of an art piece or image, so it’s more affordable for shoppers. She said she doesn’t carry anything over $25 in the store, and she runs sales almost every day. Her sales are posted on the store’s Facebook page.
The clothing sold at Mom’s Trip is in either children or adult sizes.
“I don’t care if a boy wants to buy a shirt that’s typically meant for a female, because I wear clothes that make me happy and comfortable,” said Jahnke. “I just want people to come in. I want them to be able to afford things.”
How did Mom’s Trip start?
Before Mom’s Trip existed, Jahnke made soap and sold it at markets and at a store that she didn’t own. In mid-April, she took the step into making essential oil products.
Jahnke said she started creating her art and displaying it on Facebook before her store was a gleam in her eye. Then, she decided she needed a name for her page, and her 18-year-old son suggested the name “Mom’s Trip,” since Jahnke was drawing what he called “trippy cats” in her art.
Jahnke said the “trippy” aspect comes from the surreal, psychedelic style in which the cats are depicted. One of her favorite artists is Salvador Dali, a famous surrealism artist.
After she transitioned to selling products in a store, she wanted her own physical location to sell her goods.
“I was just really in awe of someone else having their own store,” said Jahnke. “I wanted to have more space. I wanted to paint my walls with whatever I want on them.”
How are Mom’s Trip’s clothes upcycled?
Jahnke said she uses bleach and tape to make the designs on her shirts. She uses old T-shirts to make her no-sew tote bags that are stocked in the store.
On June 22, Jahnke plans to hold a small class on making upcycled no-sew totes. Attendees will bring their own shirts and pay a minimal fee, Jahnke said.
Where does Jahnke get inspiration for her art?
Jahnke said part of the reason she wanted to open Mom’s Trip was to keep her mental health in check.
After leaving a secretary position at a high school, Jahnke wanted to start a job that would be less stressful and more supportive than her old one.
“I got my paint, and the green made me happy,” said Jahnke. “I just looked at the first thing that made me happy… I picked out everything, and I released all of that negative (feeling) and made it positive.”
