I realize that this may not be a popular opinion, but I believe that Mayfair Mall needs a makeover.
Yes, seemingly everyone is excited about the arrival Nordstrom. And, how can you not be? It's a great store with amazing service, tradition and selection. It's one of a kind in the department store game. I do an annual trip to Old Orchard, and Nordstrom is the reason why. So, of course, I'm excited to have one a bit closer.
But, when it comes to the overall shopping experience that Mayfair offers I think the Wauwatosa mall is outdated and stuck in its indoors rut that really sucks the life and fun out of going there.
The parking is horrible, there are no real streets or standard way finding and it's really just a bunch of stores under a roof. It needs to be turned inside out.
I grew up at Mayfair, caddied at adjacent Bluemound Country Club, and spent hundreds of hours and dollars there every summer. But today I don't go there; maybe once a year to see a movie (if the showtime is convenient) but never to shop.
Full disclosure, I finally saw "Argo" last weekend at AMC Mayfair. It was great, by the way. But Mayfair's need for a makeover really struck me as we were leaving. Sure, it was busy and it's full of good stores, but the feel there is so much different than at Bayshore Town Center or an Old Orchard-type center.
I don't think – with or without Nordstrom – that Mayfair will have the staying power without a more open space design that feels more city-like, more friendly and more inviting. Retail development thrives on density, design, diversity and a sense of discovery. Mayfair has all of this, but within its outdated enclosed mall shell it is really limited and stale. Turing it inside out and opening the mall up could help.
Agree? Is it time for a Mayfair makeover?
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.
