Room to grow — V. Marchese putting up new distribution center
Reclaimed railroad land will sprout new distribution center, offices for V. Marchese produce firm
By David Niles, SBT Editor
Construction is under way on a 42,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution facility for Milwaukee-based produce distributor V. Marchese Inc. in the city’s Harbor View area, just east of Walkers Point.
McCloud Construction of Brookfield is building the facility, which was designed by The Albion Group architectural firm, on four acres at 600 S. Barclay St. — part of a reclaimed railroad yard.
The new building, which will include 39,000 square feet of refrigerated warehouse space and 3,000 square feet of office space, is expected to be ready for occupancy in July. The company will then move its operations there from 613 S. Second St., just west of the Barclay Street property.
The new building will have an exterior of split-faced concrete block on its lower areas, ribbed metal panels on the upper portion and glass in the entry and second-floor office areas. The metal panels will be of two different ribbing widths, multiplying the textures of the building, said architect Dave Krummel of The Albion Group in Milwaukee.
Krummel praised the Marchese family for going ahead with a building with appealing design elements when they could have just as easily put up a plain block building.
"I give the Marcheses credit for wanting something special," Krummel said. "They didn’t want just a big box."
The Albion Group’s design calls for bright colors on the interior, complementing the colors of the produce, Krummel added.
The company has outgrown its 18,000-square-foot Second Street site, but will retain the property, initially using it for storage and then renting it out, said Jack Wertz, who runs the business with Sal and Jack Marchese. They are dedicating the new building to the Marcheses’ father, Jack Marchese, who died in August. Jack Marchese took over the business from his father, Vito Marchese.
Like the late Jack Marchese, the younger generation wanted to keep the business in the neighborhood. That opportunity arose with the city’s cleanup of the Barclay Street property and extension of the street.
"We wanted to stay in the area. This is where our workforce is," said Wertz.
"And the area is getting better," Sal Marchese added. "We wanted to be part of that improvement."
Milwaukee Ald. Angel Sanchez, who helped make the land deal happen, couldn’t agree more.
"This area is one of Milwaukee’s best-kept secrets," Sanchez said at the Florida Yards Industrial Park construction site, pointing out a host of redevelopment and new construction projects in the area. Those include the new Bradley Technology and Trade School, redevelopment of numerous old warehouses and factories into residential condominiums and the impending construction of Usinger’s sausage manufacturing plant on property adjacent to the Marchese property. Usinger’s already has its distribution facility there.
"We have wonderful old buildings, new buildings, proximity to downtown, and it’s right next to Lake Michigan," Sanchez added.
Sanchez praised the Marchese family for going ahead with the project during a soft economy.
For the Marcheses, it’s a matter of having the space to accommodate a growing business.
"We need the room," Wertz said at the firm’s Second Street office. "We outgrew this place two years ago. As you can see, we’re so tight on space that we’re storing fruit in the office."
Not only will the new facility offer state-of-the-art storage for fruits and vegetables, it will also let the family extend the business, Wertz said, noting the possibility of V. Marchese offering pre-cut and packaged produce for the convenience market.
The new building will include eight shipping docks and two receiving docks.
V. Marchese has been at its Second Street location for 12 years. The business employs 63 people and will likely hire an additional 10 to 15 workers once the new facility is up and running.
The company’s clients extend north into Green Bay, west into Madison, southwest into Rockford, Ill., and south into Chicago.
Feb. 3, 2003 Small Business Times, Milwaukee
