Shoppers can now browse more than just chairs, couches and bed frames at Bachman Furniture‘s new store, which opened this week in the Menomonee Valley.
The longtime Milwaukee-based furniture retailer has teamed up with neighboring business BBC Lighting to display a selection of its products at the newly renovated 60,000-square-foot showroom at 1741 W. St. Paul Ave., Menomonee Valley Partners announced earlier this week.
“We’re looking forward to expanding our popular showroom into Bachman Furniture’s showroom where customers will be able to see the products in a real life setting alongside Bachman’s customizable furniture offerings,” said David Albert, co-owner of BBC Lighting. “Our two longtime trusted companies can address customers’ needs together.”
BBC operates its own showroom at 2015 W. Saint Paul Ave., and late last year purchased a 41,990-square-foot industrial building at 1825 W. Saint Paul Ave. adjacent to Bachman’s property.
As part of BBC’s expansion, Bachman is dropping all previous lighting products from its inventory, according to a news release.
“I wanted to work collaboratively with my neighbors, instead of in competition with them,” said third-generation owner Joe Bachman. “This only enhances the customer experience by giving them greater selection and ease of shopping. Seeing product in actual furniture displays helps take the guesswork out of design.”
In November 2018, Bachman purchased a portion of the former American Radiator Company building with plans to renovate the 94-year-old space into a new showroom. It replaces the retailer’s Capitol Drive store where it had been located since 1958.
Both businesses are part of the Valley’s emerging home decor and design district along West St. Paul Avenue, which includes complementary local businesses Brass Light Gallery, Guardian Fine Art Services, House of Stone, ProStar Surfaces, and Riverview Antiques.
House of Stone, which manufacturers stone countertops and custom pieces at 1701 W. St. Paul Ave, is currently undergoing a major showroom renovation expected to be complete by the end of the year, according to the news release.
The new showroom will feature six full size kitchens displays. The company is also investing in a Designer’s Locker Room, a dedicated conference room that designers can use free of charge to meet with their clients. Designers can reserve lockers to store their samples and materials.
The Valley’s design district is part of 22 industrial buildings between 11th and 21st streets that make up the St. Paul Avenue Industrial Historic District. Menomonee Valley Partners say there are currently two remaining historic buildings for sale on the street.
The district, which was added to state’s register of historic places last year by the Wisconsin Historical Society, has been a recent development focus of Menomonee Valley Partners and the city of Milwaukee.
“We want the Design District to be the place people think of when redesigning a living space,” said Bachman. “The family-owned design businesses on the street are creatively working together to provide a comprehensive, one stop retail shopping experience, with a convenient location and free parking. As we continue to grow, we’d love to welcome another design showroom business into the space available between Bachman’s and House of Stone.”
