For their size, both Milwaukee and Madison don’t have an abundance of big-name retailers.
But that is starting to change, according to Andy Fishler, a retail real estate advisor with Milwaukee-based The Boerke Company, Inc.
Fishler points to the big plans of supermarket chain Meijer. The retailer currently has locations in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, but none in Wisconsin. This won’t be the case for long, though. Meijer plans to open five stores in the Milwaukee area, with the first opening their doors in 2014.
“It’s nice to see Meijer jumping in the market with both feet,” Fishler said. “They are coming here and the want to make a monster splash.”
The best news? Meijer isn’t alone. Fishler said that national retailers are learning that Milwaukee and Madison are good places to do business. And that bodes well for the future economic success of both cities, he said.
“Companies are starting to realize that there is opportunity here,” Fishler said. “They see the chance to break into a new and strong market.”
