The American Dream Isn't Dead — But It's Changing

Despite continuing economic hardships across the country, Port Washington continues to see an influx of new businesses, working to create the bustling downtown area many residents hope for of the city.

And behind each and every one of those businesses is an owner or two just happy to be living the American dream of business ownership.

Victor Cerda aims to make his restaurant, , successful by .

"If you want to be distinctive, you have to bring in distinctive product," he said. 

Gail Bennett-Christian and husband, Allen, opened a second store in downtown Port — the first location is in Wauwatosa — .

owner Tammy Oreskovic ready and happy to fill a niche helping cyclists of all levels in Port Washington.

Baltica Tea Shop opened it's door just a couple months back as well, and owners Urszula Cholowinska and Dan Micha offering a relaxing .

The list is expected to go on, as Main Street Program Executive Director Sara Grover continues to meet with prospective business owners to fill empty spaces still looking for a use in Port Washington.

This long list of success for Port's downtown is just one example of how people in this community are living the American Dream.

Yes, the American Dream — opening your own business, owning a home, saving for retirement or sending the kids to college — has come under fire in since the economic downturn.

It's obvious those dreams haven't died, but achieving them today is more challenging than it has been in decades.

Today, Port Washington-Saukville Patch is joining more than 800 Patch sites around the country in launching a new series of stories called "Dispatches: The Changing American Dream."

These stories — which will run periodically — will focus on how Port and Saukville residents and businesses are grappling with issues like unemployment, foreclosures, debt and more. We plan to take a look at how we and our neighbors are adjusting to the challenges and opportunities that surround us as we continue to pursue that dream.

We don't think there's one American Dream, but a multitude of American Dreams which a multitude of people are working toward. Looking out across the country, we see businesses holding their breath deciding whether to expand; college graduates returning home because they can't find jobs; and senior citizens bringing boarders into their homes to help pay their bills.

But we also see bold new volunteer efforts, inspiring stories of local businesses that succeed because they innovated, and locals who've taken these trying times as a signal to engage more, not less, in their government.

"Dispatches" will be built upon the compelling vignettes and snapshots — the good and the bad — we unearth across all of our Patch sites.

And, of course, we want your help: Tell us what issues and what stories in Port Washington and Saukville go to the heart of your American Dream. Either comment on this story, or send an e-mail to editor Lyssa Beyer at Lyssa.Beyer@patch.com.