The Milwaukee Post

May 11, 2018

Milwaukee Post

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6 • Milwaukee County Post • May 11, 2018 State's first IKEA store to open in Oak Creek OAK CREEK — After nearly a year of construc- tion, IKEA is gearing up for the highly-anticipated grand opening of its Oak Creek store next Wednesday at 9 a.m. The more than 290,000 square foot building near I- 94 at West Drexel Avenue will be the retailer's first location in Wisconsin. "People (in the area) have generally been excited and welcoming," said IKEA spokesperson Latisha Bracy of the excitement that's building around the May 16 grand opening. "I think we'll have a nice showing." But fans of the Swedish home goods retailer will have to wait until 5 a.m. that day to claim their place in line. Leading up to the event, staff will be stationed in the parking lot to redirect any customers who try to line up early or camp out overnight. Bracy said that this is just one cog in a well-oiled machine that's been months in the making. IKEA has been working closely with the Oak Creek Police Department and govern- ment officials since early 2018 to develop a plan to manage the anticipated crowds and traffic. After the 1,000 spots in the main parking lot fill up, parking attendants will direct customers to an over- flow lot with free shuttles running to and from the store. Street parking around the store will be closed. IKEA will announce its official grand opening week lineup of events, prizes, giveaways and contests on Wednesday. The announce- ment will follow pop-up events in McKinley Park last weekend that featured free giveaways and virtual reali- ty tours of the actual show- room. Oak Creek public offi- cials have praised the new development for its potential positive economic impact for the community. The Oak Creek IKEA plans to hire over 300 employees, not counting summer seasonal jobs. — Robyn Di Giacinto Special to the Post BUSINESS Robyn Di Giacinto/Special to the Post The IKEA store, 7500 S. Ikea Way, Oak Creek, is being made ready for its grand opening at 9 a.m. Wednesday. The first IKEA in Wisconsin, lines will be allowed to form at 5 a.m.. with shuttles to and from an overflow lot available. Robyn Di Giacinto/Special to the Post Workers install the sign for hours of operation for the new IKEA store in Oak Creek. Overflow lot ready for use Wednesday MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee County has received a $250,000 state grant to support construc- tion of The Sherman Phoenix, an entrepreneur- ial and wellness hub in Milwaukee's Sherman Park neighborhood. The Community Development Investment Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation will help fund the transformation of a bank on West Fond du Lac Avenue damaged by fire during the Aug. 13, 2016 riot into an innovative commer- cial development that will house 20 businesses, most owned by people of color. "The Phoenix will not only provide Milwaukee's entrepreneurs and innova- tors with affordable space to pursue their dreams, but it will help revitalize the entire neighborhood," said Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, who joined coun- ty, city and community leaders in announcing the grant. "This will become a gathering place for the community and will enhance the cultural and social vibrancy of Sherman Park." "Sherman Park has his- torically been an incredi- bly vibrant section of Milwaukee County," Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele said. The Phoenix is being built on the site of the for- mer BMO Harris Bank. It will house small businesses offering a variety of goods and services, including pre- pared foods, wellness serv- ices, and arts and cultural activities. The building also will have a food hall with an outdoor patio and gathering spaces to foster community building. The Phoenix also will offer business support through mentorship, busi- ness coaching and network- ing. That support is expect- ed to strengthen the Phoenix businesses and improve sustainable growth. The project is expected to create more than 75 jobs. Construction is expect- ed to be completed in the fall. "The Sherman Phoenix is a response to the call from the community to cre- ate more equitable econom- ic opportunities for entre- preneurs of color," said Juli Kaufmann, co-develop- er of the project. "It is a gift to be able to walk this journey with so many inspirational entre- preneurs who are bringing their products and services to The Sherman Phoenix," added co-developer JoAnne Sabir. The WEDC funding is a matching grant and will help offset construction costs. The $1.8 million proj- ect is also being supported by business leaders, com- munity organizations and the Wisconsin Preservation Fund. The City of Milwaukee also is provid- ing $215,000 in Tax Incremental Financing support for the project. "I look forward to watch- ing this development blos- som for the benefit of the entrepreneurs, their employees and for the peo- ple across this neighbor- hood and the community," said Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, whose 7th Aldermanic District includes The Sherman Phoenix site. Sherman Phoenix entrepreneurial hub rising up State grant part of $1.8 million project

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