This morning, a construction worker at the Kenilworth Building on Milwaukee's East Side confirmed the pending arrival of Urban Outfitters.
When asked, "What's moving in here?" a worker replied, "An Urban Outfitters. Come buy all of your clothes." Drywall and a layer of paint seem to have begun the build out at the vacant space at 1937 E. Kenilworth Pl.
In February, we first reported this rumor and, at least according to one individual on the scene, it seems to be coming true. Company officials did not initially respond to our e-mail inquiry. But, later in the day, store operations project manager Travis Serpa confirmed with this message: "Thank you for interest in Urban Outfitters coming to your town. We are indeed opening a store inside of the Kenilworth building in your fine city. We are very excited about the space and cannot wait to become a part of the community. We are currently scheduled to open in early December of this year. I have the address listed as 1937 East Kenilworth Place."
Jim Plaisted, executive director of the East Side Business Improvement District, thinks it's great for the East Side neighborhood. While he couldn't officially confirm, he told me via e-mail, "The new Urban Outfitters store would be great news for the East Side BID! Once again, a high quality national retailer has chosen our funky commercial neighborhood for their first store in Southeastern Wisconsin. Even though they are a "national", they will fit right in with our small, local business flavor on the East Side. We couldn't be happier."
The Philadelphia-based company operates Urban Outfitters,
Anthropologie and Free People stores. The Free People brand also is available through department stores and specialty stores. Last month, Urban Outfitters announced that it will launch a new store early next year that will sell lifestyle and home and garden products. The company's only other Wisconsin location is on State Street in Madison.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
