Kohl's coming to downtown Milwaukee in former Boston Store building

Kohl’s coming to downtown Milwaukee in former Boston Store building

Kohl’s unveiled plans on Friday, July 15 for its first-ever downtown Milwaukee store in the old Boston Store building – near the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Vel R. Phillips Avenue.

MILWAUKEE - Kohl’s unveiled plans on Friday, July 15 for its first-ever downtown Milwaukee store in the old Boston Store building – near the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Vel R. Phillips Avenue.

"We've been a part of the community for more than 60 years, but we've never had a downtown presence -- and now is the time," said Michelle Gass, Kohl's CEO.

"I am absolutely thrilled to welcome this iconic Wisconsin brand to downtown Milwaukee," said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

Rendering of new Kohl's in downtown Milwaukee

Gass told the media there will be Sephora presence in the new store – and it is just part of an overall Kohl's strategy to grow.

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"I do think it is the perfect marriage of the efforts underway in the city of Milwaukee. The fact that we're going to be here and there's a concert venue and there's a soccer field and there's all the kind of food and great entertainment happening. And then with Kohl's, we're just rolling out our new store strategy; our small store strategy," Gass said. "This store is an example of what we're going to be doing across the country."

Kohl’s unveils plans for its first-ever downtown Milwaukee store

Kohl’s unveils plans for its first-ever downtown store in a historic Milwaukee space.

Gass said Kohl's plans to build out about a hundred new stores like the one in downtown Milwaukee over the next four to five years. They all will have a smaller footprint than what has traditionally been built.

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"I’m very happy as well that Kohl’s is a part of the Renaissance that’s happening in downtown Milwaukee," said Mayor Johnson.

Rendering of new Kohl's in downtown Milwaukee

Outside the new department store location, a pair of Milwaukee natives shared their thoughts on the project.

"I’ve never been to Kohl’s personally. I ain’t never shopped at Kohl’s. I don’t even know what they got up in there," said Keith Culbertson of Milwaukee.

"I actually like Kohl's. They got good kid clothes," said Yolanda Cole of Milwaukee.

Rendering of new Kohl's in downtown Milwaukee

Both say they will visit the new Kohl's when it opens – because the location is convenient.

"I’m tired of going way up on 124th St. to Target or way on the south side," Culbertson said.

The new downtown Kohl's is expected to open in fall 2023.