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Breaking news: SURG to open 8-Twelve MVP Bar and Grill at Bayshore
May 20, 2013 01:00 PM
SURG Restaurant Group plans to open a second 8-twelve MVP Bar and Grill restaurant, which would be located in space currently occupied by Coa at Bayshore Town Center in Glendale, SURG announced today.

The first 8-twelve restaurant opened last year on Bluemound Road in Brookfield. SURG opened the restaurant with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Milwaukee Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun. The restaurant name is based on their jersey numbers. The restaurant features a farm to table menu with Wisconsin produced food and a sportbar homage to Braun and Rodgers. The Brookfield 8-twelve restaurant was an immediate hit when it opened last year and SURG has been planning to add additional locations in the state.

"Having enthusiastic support from Omar (Shaikh), my partner, and that of Aaron and Ryan creates a strong force. As far as the location goes, I couldn't think of a better area than Bayshore Town Center," said Mike Polaski, owner and CEO of SURG Restaurant Group.

8-Twelve at Bayshore will feature the same commitment to Wisconsin that the SURG Restaurant Group delivers at all of its award-winning restaurants. Much of the produce, beef and pork will be sourced through Mike Polaski's owned and operated Hidden Creek Farm in New London, Wis. as well as other statewide farms.

"SURG Restaurant Group's success is built on great partnerships, whether it's Ryan Braun and Aaron Rodgers or 8-Twelve in a dynamic setting like Bayshore," said SURGE co-owner and president Omar Shaikh. "Our menu will feature a variety of offerings for a range of customers, from those who enjoy a high-quality meal and dining experience to those who enjoy the experience of gathering with friends to watch their favorite team in action."

8-Twelve is a combined effort by Braun and Rodgers to give back to Wisconsin by showcasing and supporting Wisconsin food producers. Teaming up with the SURG Restaurant Group, 8-Twelve brings a farm-to-table concept featuring a wood-fired grill that imparts unique flavors to the chef's creations.

"We're thrilled to have 8-Twelve join our lineup of restaurant offerings," said David Moss, general manager at Bayshore Town Center. "Ryan Braun and Aaron Rodgers are at the top of their respective games, and having 8-twelve at Bayshore keeps us at the top of our game, which is providing our guests with a high-quality shopping, dining and entertainment experience."

8-Twelve will feature private dining rooms perfect for conducting business during the week and celebrating on weekends. Visitors can also enjoy a comfortable dining room or spacious bar area while watching Ryan Braun or Aaron Rodgers when they're in action on the field.

"We are very excited to be opening another 8-Twelve in a very special setting like Bayshore Town Center," Braun said." I am thrilled to be able to continue my involvement in the community and give back to the city that has been so supportive throughout my career."

"With the great success we've already had at our Brookfield location, Ryan and I are excited to bring the 8-Twelve brand to the North Shore," Rodgers said. "The new Bayshore location is as good as they come, and we're looking forward to providing the North Shore community with the unique, quality dining experience 8-Twelve fans have come to expect."

"8-Twelve represents everything that's great about Wisconsin, from its sports teams to the quality food sourced from local farms," said Moss. "It's one more example why Bayshore Town Center is the area's top shopping, dining and entertainment destination."

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BizTimes collects Awards for Excellence in Journalism
May 20, 2013 11:00 AM
BizTimes Media LLC received an unprecedented six Awards For Excellence in Journalism at the Milwaukee Press Club's Gridiron Dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Milwaukee Friday night.

BizTimes executive editor Steve Jagler received a gold medal award for his analysis of Obamacare.

Reporter Molly Newman received a gold medal award for her feature story on Leinenkugel Brewing Co.

Silver awards went to managing editor Andrew Weiland for his beat coverage on real estate and to the BizTimes staff for best website design. Bronze awards were achieved by "Innovation" columnist Dan Steininger and designers Shelly Tabor and Picara Hay for best magazine design.

The Press Club's Sacred Cat Award was bestowed to ABC News reporter Cokie Roberts.

For a complete list of awards recipients, click here.

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Whole Foods plans to open new store in suburbs
May 20, 2013 11:00 AM
Whole Foods plans to open a second store in the Milwaukee area and is considering sites in Brookfield and Wauwatosa, according to commercial real estate sources.

Options include the Bluemound Road corridor and Chicago-based HSA Commercial Real Estate's Mayfair Collection development in Wauwatosa, sources say.

Whole Foods opened its first store in the area in 2006 at 2305 N. Prospect Ave. on Milwaukee's east side. After a slow start at that location, the store has performed better in recent years, grocery and real estate industry experts say.

"They're doing really well with the store that they have (on the east side)," said Pewaukee-based grocery industry consultant David Livingston. "The sales there have really gone up the last three to four years."

One source said HSA is trying to get Whole Foods to locate in the Mayfair Collection. A groundbreaking ceremony was held recently for the first phase of that development, which will be built at Highway 45 and Burleigh Road in Wauwatosa. In the project's first phase, HSA Commercial will demolish a portion of the warehouse buildings fronting Highway 45 to create approximately 270,000 square feet of retail space and a parking lot. Tenants in the first phase will include Nordstrom Rack, Dick's Sporting Goods and Ulta Beauty.

Representatives for HSA Commercial and Whole Foods could not be reached for comment.

Sources say Whole Foods plans to keep its east side location open after opening the suburban store.

The Milwaukee area could support an additional two to three Whole Foods stores, Livingston said. Affluent areas of the region, including the western suburbs or Mequon, could support a Whole Foods store, he said.

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BizTimes video features interview with Michael Cudahy
May 20, 2013 11:00 AM
Entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael Cudahy recounted his family's remarkable American journey in a wide-ranging interview by BizTimes executive editor Steve Jagler at the BizExpo Thursday.

For BizTimes readers who were not able to attend the luncheon, a digital video of the interview, in which Cudahy talked about his family's history, his entrepreneurial accomplishments and his philanthropic ventures, is posted here.

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BizTimes Morning Headlines: Presidential speculation about Walker heats up
May 20, 2013 11:00 AM
In just a few days, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will head to the heart of Iowa — where the 2016 presidential race will likely begin — and take center stage before that key state’s Republican party faithful.
 
But Walker is downplaying the political significance of Thursday’s trip to the Des Moines area, where he will deliver the keynote speech at a fundraiser hosted by Iowa’s largest GOP committee, the Republican Party of Polk County.

Read more in today’s BizTimes Morning Headlines.
 

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BizTimes Manufacturing Weekly: IBS opens Waukesha office
May 20, 2013 11:00 AM
International Business Systems, a Swedish enterprise resource planning and supply chain software company, has opened an office in Waukesha.
 
The company provides manufacturers with distribution and warehouse process solutions. The company has 15 employees at the office and plans to hire eight more this year.

For more, read the BizTimes Manufacturing Weekly.
 
 

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Milwaukee Biz Blog: Will Obamacare or private sector reforms carry the day?
May 20, 2013 11:00 AM
A race, invisible to most, is on to solve the nation's health care crisis. It is a race between reforms of the delivery system in the private sector and the insurance-based reforms under Obamacare.

Which will provide better access, affordability and value? John Torinus breaks it down in today's Milwaukee Biz Blog.

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Walmart and Sam’s Club are coming to Pabst Farms
May 17, 2013 01:00 PM
The Pabst Farms development, once envisioned as a Midwestern upscale retail jewel destination in Oconomowoc, will soon be the home of a 151,000-square-foot Walmart Supercenter store and a 136,000-square-foot Sam’s Club store.
Walmart and Pabst Farms Development Inc. announced their plans for the two stores today.

The stores are planned to be built northeast of Interstate 94 and Highway 67 in the Pabst Farms Town Centre area of the development.
Prior to the Great Recession, Pabst Farms developer Peter Bell planned to create an upscale regional mall in the Pabst Farms Town Centre. However, that project has not moved forward, and attempts by Pabst Farms to attract upscale national retail tenants have been unsuccessful so far.
The Walmart Supercenter and the Sam’s Club stores would be the first significant development at Pabst Farms in several years.
“The city is excited to see the long anticipated Town Centre project at Pabst Farms get under way,” said Bob Duffy, economic development director for the City of Oconomowoc. “The new Walmart and Sam’s Club will not only provide approximately 400 new jobs, but since the Pabst Farms tax incremental district is in the process of closing early, this will mean a substantial direct increase in Oconomowoc’s tax base from day one.”
The Pabst Farms Town Centre is still planned to be a 1 million-square-foot, open-air retail shopping center. The Walmart Supercenter stores and the Sam’s Club store will anchor the western portion of that site.
“We remain committed to an upscale, regional shopping destination, and look forward to working with retailers like Walmart and Sam’s Club that are economically strong, weathered the recession, and are well-positioned to succeed in this new economic environment,” said Bell, president of Pabst Farms Development Inc.  “As consumer spending continues to bounce back, there is more optimism in the retail sector than there has been in years. With Walmart and Sam’s Club committed, we are now actively working on retailers and a movie theater to fill out the rest of the development.”
 

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The Couture might include hall for MSO
May 17, 2013 11:00 AM
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is in early stages of considering plans to move its performances to a concert hall that could be built for the MSO in The Couture, the 44-story residential and hotel tower planned by Barrett Visionary Development near the lakefront.
 
Barrett Visionary Development owner Rick Barrett approached the MSO about the idea a few months ago, said MSO president and executive director Mark Niehaus, who emphasized that the discussions are extremely preliminary.

“It’s so early (in the planning process),” Niehaus said. “We have not agreed to anything. We’re simply studying what a project like this would be for us.”

Currently, most MSO performances are held at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Milwaukee. But numerous scheduling conflicts at the Marcus Center force the MSO to play at various other venues for about 16 of its 39-week season, Niehaus said. Scheduling at the Marcus Center is particularly tough during December when the MSO is playing popular Christmas shows, but the Marcus Center is booked for the Milwaukee Ballet’s Nutcracker performances.

The MSO’s revenue drops significantly when it plays at venues other than the Marcus Center, Niehaus said.

“It’s not ideal to have to move your product all over town and expect your audience to follow you,” he said. “I have to pursue every opportunity to allow us to play more concerts for more people.”

Ideally the MSO would have its own venue to maximize its scheduling opportunities, Niehaus said. Other appropriate performances, such as jazz concerts, could also be held in the venue, he said.

“It would solve a major problem for their future,” Barrett said. “For us it would have an allure that is cutting-edge and would be something Milwaukee could be extremely proud of.”

No other existing facility in Milwaukee could be an adequate home for the MSO, Niehaus said. The Milwaukee Theater, for example, has a seating capacity of about 4,000 and is too large of a space for a symphony orchestra performance, he said.

A venue at The Couture likely would not replace the Marcus Center, Neihaus said. It would just become the new site for the MSO’s shows. Other groups would remain at the Marcus Center.

The MSO is the second major Milwaukee cultural institution that Barrett has approached for The Couture project. Barrett is also in talks with the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, currently located at O’Donnell Park, about moving to a larger space in The Couture.

The Couture would be built southwest of Lincoln Memorial Drive and Michigan Street, at the site currently occupied by the Milwaukee County Downtown Transit Center. However, parks advocacy group Preserve Our Parks has objected to those plans saying private development at that site would violate the state’s public trust doctrine. Milwaukee County officials are planning legal action to establish development rights for the site.

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Aldi to expand Oak Creek distribution center
May 17, 2013 11:00 AM
Aldi will add more than 100,000 square feet to its Oak Creek distribution center at 9342 S. 13th St.
 
Construction could begin this summer on the expansion, which includes about 40,000 square feet for dry goods storage, 63,000 feet for cold storage and about 3,100 square feet of office space.

The project will add to what is now a 500,000-square-foot facility on about 74 acres of land north of Ryan Road. The distribution center serves Aldi stores in Wisconsin and Lake County, Ill.

The Oak Creek Plan Commission gave the plans final approval in its meeting Tuesday.

For more, read the Oak Creek Patch, a media partner of BizTimes. 

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Kohl’s outsources contact center to the cloud
May 17, 2013 12:00 PM
Menomonee Falls-based Kohl's Department Stores has entered into a long-term, multi-year contract to migrate its contact center to the Interactive Intelligence Communications-as-a-Service solution.
 
Kohl's has been a customer of Indianapolis-based Interactive Intelligence Group Inc. since 1999.
Kohl's decided that a move to the cloud would enable it to continue to focus on its core business and effectively meet peak seasonal demands. The Interactive Intelligence cloud solution includes a service level agreement that ensures Kohl's will get optimal maintenance and support.

"Kohl's is well known for its world-class customer service," said Interactive Intelligence founder and chief executive officer Donald Brown. "We're honored that they've chosen us as their partner as they move a part of their business to the cloud. We take that responsibility seriously and want to help them offer the best possible experience to each and every Kohl's customer."

The Interactive Intelligence CaaS solution will support Kohl's offices in San Antonio, Texas and Menomonee Falls. The migration will begin immediately and is planned for completion by the end of 2014.

Interactive Intelligence Group is a global provider of contact center, unified communications and business process automation software and services.

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Neale to retire as Modine’s chairman
May 17, 2013 12:00 PM
Racine-based Modine Manufacturing Company today announced plans for Gary Neale to retire as chairman of its board of directors following the company’s annual meeting of shareholders on July 18.
 
Neale has been a member of Modine's board since 1977 and became its chair in 2008 after serving as independent lead director for five years.

In addition, at its regular meeting on May 15, Modine's board appointed Marsha Williams as independent lead director, effective upon Neale's retirement. Williams has been a member of Modine's board since 1999 and is the current chair of its officer nomination and compensation committee.

Williams retired as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Orbitz Worldwide, an online travel company, in 2010. Prior to joining Orbitz, Williams held senior executive positions at Equity Office Properties Trust, Crate and Barrel, Amoco Corporation, Carson Pirie Scott & Company and The First National Bank of Chicago. She currently serves as a member of the boards of directors of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V., Fifth Third Bancorp and Davis Funds.

"We are extremely grateful to Gary for his many years of service to Modine," said Thomas Burke, Modine's president and chief executive officer. "He has served our shareholders very well and has been an effective leader for our board and resource for our management team. We look forward to making further announcements and wishing him well upon his retirement in July. We are also quite pleased with the board's appointment of Marsha to the independent lead director position and look forward to working with her in this new role."

The board also approved amendments to Modine's guidelines on corporate governance to address the specific duties of the independent lead director. 

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BizTimes Morning Headlines: Wisconsin sees biggest monthly job loss since 2009
May 17, 2013 12:00 PM
One measure shows Wisconsin's employment picture improving since Gov. Scott Walker took office in January 2011, but the most recent jobs numbers tell a different story.
 
On the same day it cheered data showing Wisconsin has gained some 62,000 private-sector jobs over the past two years, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development on Thursday quietly released the latest federal figures showing the state losing 22,000 jobs in April.

The monthly jobs loss — indicated in preliminary, seasonally adjusted Current Employment Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, was the biggest monthly decline since April 2009, near the end of the Great Recession.

The state lost 22,600 private-sector jobs between March and April and another 1,500 public jobs according to the Current Employment Statistics, which samples around 3.5 percent of Wisconsin employers monthly.

But state officials were quick to direct attention away from the April numbers toward figures from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, which showed that Wisconsin gained more than 62,000 private-sector jobs in 2011 and 2012.
For more, read BizTimes Morning Headlines.

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BizTimes Nonprofit Weekly: 'Milwaukee's Finest' Campaign in final stretch of fundraising
May 17, 2013 12:00 PM
The 2013 “Milwaukee's Finest" Campaign, presented by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) Milwaukee Chapter, is nearing the end of its 10-week run with a final push to fundraise dollars toward research of cystic fibrosis and a cure.
 
The campaign consists of eight young professionals who were selected in March for their dedication to community involvement on top of their professional success. Each selected honoree has been challenged to raise a minimum of $2,500.

For more, read the BizTimes Nonprofit Weekly.

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Weekend preview
May 17, 2013 12:00 PM
Busy readers of the BizTimes Daily can get a jumpstart on the weekend ahead by reading the OnMilwaukee.com Weekend Preview.
 
A hint: Comedian Bill Cosby and country singer Kenny Chesney are coming to Milwaukee. For a roundup of activities, click here. OnMilwaukee.com is a media partner of BizTimes.

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