Go Grocer's 1st store outside Ilinois to open in Milwaukee's historic 3rd Ward next week

Chicago-based Go Grocer will open its first store in Milwaukee’s historic 3rd Ward next week, the retailer told WGB on Wednesday.

The 2,200-square-foot store, located at 415 E. Menomonee St., is the grocer’s first location outside of Chicago. Go Grocer currently operates nearly 20 stores throughout Chicago.  

Founded in 2008 by brothers Paul and Greg Stellatos, Milwaukee’s Go Grocer will be co-owned by another set of brothers—Johnny and Edgar Rivera.

When it came time for the founders to select owners for their expansion into Milwaukee, they reached out to their childhood friends, the Riveras. “We all grew up together,” Greg Stellatos told WGB. “We’ve known each other since elementary school.”

Looking to strike a balance between a high-end grocery and convenience store, Johnny and his brother are excited to bring Go Grocer to Milwaukee.

“There is nothing like us in the area,” Johnny Rivera said, especially when it comes to the “old school” approach. Despite its smaller square footage compared to big box retailers, Rivera said Go Grocer offers “the old-school approach of human connection," which goes a long way toward building customer relationships.

The new store will feature grocery essentials, freshly made grab-and-go items, spirts, wine and beer, as well as a selection of locally sourced products.

Shipment delays stalled the store's opening date, Riversa said. But that has not diminished both sets of brothers’ enthusiasm.

“We’re just putting on the finishing touches,” Stellatos said outside the company’s soon-to-be first store outside Illinois.

“We are looking at a soft opening for next Tuesday and a grand opening next Wednesday, Rivera said.

Go Grocer's focus on building from the store up rather than from the app down is paying off as Go Grocer MKE (Milwaukee) has plans for other stores in the Wisconsin city as well. Rivera said Go Grocer MKE has plans for expansion in Milwaukee's Brewery District next.