Kohl's grand opening in downtown Milwaukee marks latest addition to revitalization efforts

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Kohl's officially opened its doors Friday, Nov. 3, and it is the latest addition to downtown Milwaukee, with a convenient location: doors down from Third St. Market Hall and right across from the Wisconsin Convention Center. City leaders and locals told CBS 58 that they are proud of the direction things are headed.

"I remember it back, you know, in the early 80s and, you know, 90s; it was really up and going and it was a lot to do down here, you didn’t mind coming, walking around down here but with the vacant buildings and everything it just looked vacant," said Linda Brooks.

The new department store is located right in the heart of the city of Milwaukee in the intersection between Wisconsin and Vel R. Phillips. After its ribbon cutting ceremony Friday morning, a number of shoppers were seen going in and coming out with shopping bags.

VISIT Milwaukee's Senior Director of Communications Claire Koenig said Kohl's builds on the continued growth in and around downtown Milwaukee.

"There’s just so much momentum in major projects that are requiring major investment that will be huge attractions for visitors," she said.

Milwaukee commissioner of City Developments, Lafayette Crump, said it's more than just the grand opening of a new store.

"This area is continuing to reinvent itself and yes, you could say that it's already kind of repurposing itself, regrowing, becoming something new," he said.

According to Mayor Cavalier Johnson, "the last downtown area plan was adopted in 2010. Since then, more than $4.5 billion has been invested in completed private and public projects and more than $3.1 billion is currently under construction or proposed to start soon."

Crump said he is glad to see Milwaukee getting bigger and better.

"We are not about just being OK, we're not about keeping Milwaukee mediocre, we're about being aspirational, thinking about what Milwaukee can be; and we're not trying to be Chicago, but what we're trying to do is be the best Milwaukee we can be," Crump added.

Since the Boston Store closed back in 2018, Kohl's is the first retailer to open up at this location just in time for the holiday season.