About Us
History | Hours | Location | Parking | Directions
Policies (shipping methods, privacy, returns)
Take a 2 minute video tour of the Tool Shed with owner Laura Anne Stuart!
The Tool Shed: An Erotic Boutique from High Frequency Media on Vimeo.
History of the Tool Shed
During the fall of 2003, an idea was born…
How’s about opening a sex-positive sex toy store in Milwaukee with a comfortable atmosphere? The gals that opened the Tool Shed felt that Milwaukee was in desperate need of a place that not only epitomized their beliefs about what a sex-positive, gender-positive, healthy and inviting sex toy store should be, but they also really wanted to educate and empower people by breaking taboos around talking honestly about sex and sexuality.
In July of 2008, the reins of the Tool Shed were passed to Laura Anne Stuart. Laura has been a sexuality educator for over a decade, and holds a master's degree in public health. In addition to her work at the Tool Shed, Laura is the author of "Sexpress," a sex advice column that appears in The Shepherd Express, Milwaukee's independent weekly newspaper. She is also the co-author of the Our Whole Lives sexuality education curriculum for young adults.
The Tool Shed is a space where people of all genders can explore their sexuality in a comfortable environment and be treated with respect by a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Our staff knows a lot about the toys and equipment we sell, and we frequently offer workshops and other events where our customers can learn about the products we offer.
The Tool Shed strives to sell sex toys that are made of body-safe, quality materials. We also offer a variety of locally-made and handmade items that showcase the unique flavor of the Milwaukee area.
The Tool Shed also hosts toy parties! We are happy to come to you, or you can have your party at our shop! Give us at least a two week notice and let the festivities begin! Any questions? Please feel free to call us at 414-906-5304, or email us at: info@toolshedtoys.com.
Check out our UPCOMING EVENTS!
Tool Shed Hours
- Noon-8pm Tuesday-Saturday
- Noon-5pm Sunday
- Closed on Monday
We will be closed on the following holidays: Independence Day (July 4), Thanksgiving (November 25), Christmas (December 25), New Year's Day (January 1)
Location
The Tool Shed is located at 2427 N. Murray Avenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (get map here). We are a block and a half north of North Avenue on the east side of the Milwaukee River (near such landmarks as the Oriental Theater, Beans and Barley, and the East Side branch of the public library).
The Tool Shed is part of Milwaukee's vibrant East Side, a neighborhood located just north of Downtown, bordered on the west by the Milwaukee River and on the east by Lake Michigan. The East Side is home to plenty of fantastic restaurants and bars, as well as a unique mix of shopping and entertainment. The immediate proximity to the lakeshore and to the bicycle and walking paths along the river offers the best of the outdoors in the city as well!
Parking
Parking at the Tool Shed is a breeze! Tool Shed customers may use the free parking lot directly across the street from our store during the time they are shopping or attending an event at the store. Please use the middle portion of the lot, not the area directly in front of the Chinese restaurant. If there is a heavy snowfall that day, customers may need to move their cars to allow for the lot to be plowed. There is also free on-street parking in front of our store with a 3 hour limit.
To find additional parking on the East Side, check theEastSide.org's parking page.
Directions
To reach the Tool Shed by city bus
A number of Milwaukee County Transit buses routes stop within a few short blocks of the Tool Shed, including route 15, route 21, and route 30, all of which have stops on North Avenue. To find the best route from your location, use the trip planner feature on the front page of the MCTS web site.
To reach the Tool Shed by car, from North of Milwaukee
BECAUSE NORTH AVENUE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WEST OF THE RIVER, we have revised our directions to use the Locust Street Exit until construction is completed.
- Take I-43 South toward Milwaukee
- Take the Locust Street Exit 74
- Turn left onto Locust Street, heading east, for about 1.5 miles
- (Locust street will cross the Milwaukee River)
- After crossing the Milwaukee River, turn right onto Oakland Avenue, heading south, for about 0.8 miles (Oakland is the second stoplight after the bridge)
- Turn left onto North Avenue, heading east, for about 0.1 miles
- Turn left onto Murray Avenue (Murray will be the street immediately to your left at the next stoplight after turning onto North Ave. There is a U.S. Bank on the corner).
- We will be on your left after the four way stop sign. Look for the Jazz Estate sign-- we are right next door!
To reach the Tool Shed by car, from South of Milwaukee
BECAUSE NORTH AVENUE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WEST OF THE RIVER, we have revised our directions to use the Locust Street Exit until construction is completed.
- Take I-94 West toward Milwaukee
- Merge onto I-43 North via the exit on the left
- Take the Locust Street Exit 74
- Turn right onto Locust Street, heading east, for about 1.5 miles
- (Locust street will cross the Milwaukee River)
- After crossing the Milwaukee River, turn right onto Oakland Avenue, heading south, for about 0.8 miles (Oakland is the second stoplight after the bridge)
- Turn left onto North Avenue, heading east, for about 0.1 miles
- Turn left onto Murray Avenue (Murray will be the street immediately to your left at the next stoplight after turning onto North Ave. There is a U.S. Bank on the corner).
- We will be on your left after the four way stop sign. Look for the Jazz Estate sign-- we are right next door!
To reach the Tool Shed by car, from West of Milwaukee
BECAUSE NORTH AVENUE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WEST OF THE RIVER, we have revised our directions to use the Locust Street Exit until construction is completed.
- Take I-94 East toward Milwaukee
- Merge onto I-43 North via Exit 310B toward Green Bay
- Take the Locust Street Exit 74
- Turn right onto Locust Street, heading east, for about 1.5 miles
- (Locust street will cross the Milwaukee River)
- After crossing the Milwaukee River, turn right onto Oakland Avenue, heading south, for about 0.8 miles (Oakland is the second stoplight after the bridge)
- Turn left onto North Avenue, heading east, for about 0.1 miles
- Turn left onto Murray Avenue (Murray will be the street immediately to your left at the next stoplight after turning onto North Ave. There is a U.S. Bank on the corner).
- We will be on your left after the four way stop sign. Look for the Jazz Estate sign-- we are right next door!
xoxoxo Tool Shed