The Milwaukee Post

6 • Milwaukee County Post • April 14, 2017 The Corners opens By DAVE FIDLIN Special to the Post TOWN OF BROOK- FIELD — It was nearly a decade in the making, and the anticipation outside was palpable. Although construction equipment still dotted the landscape in some unfin- ished areas, the wraps offi- cially were taken off the Town of Brookfield's new mixed-use development, The Corners of Brookfield, on Saturday morning. As the official 10 a.m. opening approached, the line of people gathered out- side Von Maur grew pro- gressively longer in a scene reminiscent of fans wait- ing to see their favorite rock star. Melissa Smith of Madison made the trek to see if Davenport, Iowa- based Von Maur was worth all of the hype. "I've heard good things about them," Smith said. "They seem different from a lot of the other depart- ment stores out there." In its first eight hours of operation, more than 10,000 persons visited The Corners, spokeswoman Kris Naidl said in a state- ment. At a time when several department store chains — including such stalwarts as Sears, JCPenney and Macy's — are retrenching, the entry of a new store of this category is an anomaly in a retail climate that is in flux from a confluence of different factors. The realization of The Corners also is notable. A decade ago, two large-scale developments vacated the land the development now sits on. Menards relocated its store to the west in Waukesha, and West Point Cinema was shuttered to make way for Marcus Theatres' Majestic Cinema. A nearby strip shopping center, West Point Plaza, was losing tenants and showing its age. Talk of redeveloping the entire site began in earnest right at the height of the economic recession. The project timeline was pushed back on several occasions. Carol White, president of the Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce, was at a ribbon-cutting cer- emony just before the doors officially opened to the public. "I think I speak for many when I say we've waited for this with great anticipation," White said. Town Chairman Keith Henderson also addressed the jubilant crowd briefly during the ribbon-cutting. After the doors opened, Henderson meandered throughout the 150,000square-foot, two- story store and greeted cus- tomers. "As one would say, we hope you'll come back often," Henderson said. Unlike the nation's major department store chains, Von Maur is pri- vately held and remains a family-run operation. Jim von Maur, president of the 31-store chain, said the company had its eyes on Wisconsin the past two decades. "It took a lot of patience, but we got it done," von Maur said. "We are so glad to be here." Von Maur has a bit of a throwback experience rem- iniscent of department stores of yesteryear, with an emphasis on high-quali- ty customer service and such features as a women's lounge area and a piano player. Von Maur, considered the centerpiece of The Corners, was one of eight retailers that opened their doors to customers Saturday morning. The other stores that unveiled their wares and services were Anthony Vince Nail Spa, Evereve, francesca's, J. Jill, Kendra Scott, Scout and Molly's and Twigs. In the coming weeks and months, the eight retailers will be in good company. Other businesses slated to open soon include Bel Air Cantina, Café Hollander, L.L. Bean and Sendik's. Additional retailers con- tinue to be announced. Last week, for instance, Grimaldi's Pizzeria announced it was opening in the development. Some of the other com- ponents of The Corners, including the 244 luxury apartments, will be avail- able soon as well. MILWAUKEE — Julie Schuller has been named president and CEO of Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers. Founded in 1969, Sixteenth Street provides clinical care, behavioral health services, and social services for Milwaukee's most vulnerable populations through its five clinic locations and array of comprehensive com- munity initiatives. Schuller launched her career more than 20 years ago as a clini- cal provider with Sixteenth Street. She then served as medical director, and most recently as executive vice president and vice president of clinical affairs. "Poverty impacts people's health tremendously," Schuller said in a statement. "I'm excited and honored to lead our responsi- bility to address its roots beyond the exam room to improve the health of our patients any way we can: medical care, involvement in the community, collaboration and coordination with partners." An independent nonprofit agency and federally qualified health center, Sixteenth Street served nearly 40,000 patients last year, the majority of whom are without health insurance or rely on Medicaid. "Population health is my pas- sion. I feel it's vital to continue our emphasis on community health, rather than health center, by going out into the community to address population health and the social determinants of health," Schuller said in the state- ment. BUSINESS Kenny Yoo/Special to the Post Patrons start arriving at The Corners shopping center in the Town of Brookfield for its grand opening on Saturday. Kenny Yoo/Special to the Post Customers move throughout the new Von Maur location at The Corners on Saturday. Von Maur-anchored development celebrates grand kickoff Schuller named president CEO of Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers

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