Do you think a restaurant or even a retailer would look great on the corner of Jefferson and Mason Streets, in Downtown Milwaukee? I do, and I'm guessing George Watts and Son, 761 N. Jefferson St., does too as the iconic local retailer is floating the idea of leasing its first floor space and moving its entire showroom to its upper floors.
In business since 1870 and at its current Italian Renaissance-style building since 1922, the still family-run Watts would consolidate its impressive "luxury tabletop and gift emporium" once a new tenant for its 8,126-square foot first floor space is secured.
Currently, Watts' has one tenant, the Delind Gallery of Fine Art, on its first floor. "We share customers and it's truly a synergistic relationship," said Sam Watts, the fifth generation president of George Watts and Son.
Watts would like to expand on its success with Delind.
"It's all about creating more buzz in Downtown," said Watts. "We decided to put some feelers out there to see if there is interest in the space, but we are not definitely making a move one way or the other. If the right offer came along -- similar to the Delind Gallery, and a synergistic business was interested, we would certainly be hard pressed to not look at it."
Watts has been evolving over the past several years. And finding tenants for its first floors is another step forward for the Milwaukee icon.
"However, as it stands, we are really just trying to measure the market. Our desire was to see if there is an interest and the right business so we could create an 'emporium' of sorts," said Watts.
Watts was clear that "nothing is (set) in stone" and that the store and Tea Room are not closing. "My grandmother, who is still the sole owner of the building and the sole owner of the business, would never allow it and the board of directors, her children, have no interest in relocating or closing," Watts emphasized.
"We want to be smart with our asset and our first floor is an incredible opportunity for the right tenants. We want to spike more interest in Downtown," Watts added.
The space, which could easily accommodate two tenants, is across from The Pfister Hotel and Mason Street Grill, and is well-positioned among many of Downtown's best spaces, including Cathedral Square Park.
In addition, the new headquarters for Godfrey & Kahn in the proposed 22-story Washington Square office tower would be located on the corner opposite (parking lots now), and the new Marriott Hotel will be just two blocks away. Indeed, this is prime Downtown real estate.
Siegel-Gallagher is representing Watts and currently talking to possible new tenants. So, stay tuned.
What would work best here? Thoughts? Use the Talkbacks to respond or share this blog via Twitter with your ideas.
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.
