American Science & Surplus is a Milwaukee staple for many science enthusiasts and DIYers. While its online store has closed, its brick-and-mortar locations in Milwaukee and Illinois, remain open under new employee ownership.

The previous owner, Pat Meyer, started a GoFundMe last year to try and keep the stores open. But when efforts failed to reduce inventory and relocate its warehouse, Meyer stepped down as owner. Now, former store manager Kim Stenglein owns the Milwaukee location. Stenglein spoke with WUWM’s Eddie Morales last December about how a challenging economy is shaping the store’s inventory and future.

As part of WUWM’s Economic Check-in series, Stenglein shares some of the ongoing and new economic challenges the store is facing.

Recent reporting from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel looked into Walgreens leases throughout the city.

The reporting found that leases contain terms that restrict pharmacies and other businesses from moving into the stores – even if it has closed. And those leases can last for decades – so long as the company continues to pay rent.

One of the closed down Walgreens locations on North King Drive and West Hadley Street has a lease that was signed in 2009 that lasts until 2084 – preventing new business from moving in. WUWM’s Race & Ethnicity Reporter Teran Powell is joined by Chad Venne, a real estate expert, to learn more about these types of leases and their provisions.

If you’re a frequent listener to WUWM, chances are you’re familiar with the voice of Paula Poundstone. She’s a regular panelist on NPR’s Wait! Wait!...Don’t Tell Me, and also hosts the podcast, “Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone."

Poundstone’s career spans stand-up comedy, radio and voice acting. She’ll be performing her stand-up in Lake Geneva this weekend. Lake Effect’s Audrey Noawkowski talked to her ahead of the show.