BROOKFIELD - In just over a week, Von Maur will open its first Wisconsin store, and customers will be able to browse over 200,000 pairs of shoes.
The two-story shoe room will be located at the new Corners of Brookfield location right off I-94.
"[Our shoe department is] kind of the hallmark of our stores," said Chief Operating Officer of Von Maur, Melody Wright. "So, when we come into markets, everybody knows that Von Maur is known for shoes.”
She hopes they will feature a new experience and selection to Wisconsin customers.
"For us we offer a lot of unique vendors that you can't just find anywhere," Wright said. "They aren't just mass produced. And that is, I think, what really draws customers in.”
Having a unique edge is something Wright hopes will produce heavy foot traffic despite such a tough time in the retail market.
In the last year, Sports Authority and The Limited closed all of its stores. Macy's, Sears, Kmart and JCpenney each closed some locations as well.
However, Von Maur has been vying for a spot in Wisconsin for the last 10 to 12 years. Wright said that's why she jumped at the chance to be part of the Corners of Brookfield development.
She thinks it'll be able to succeed because of its philosophy.
"For us the product is flowing in every single week, we don't let products get stale on the floor, and the customer votes," Wright said. "If they like it [we're] going to get more of it. If they don't, we're going to get rid of it and mark it down.”
The store's grand opening is slated for Saturday, April 8.
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