The Milwaukee Art Museum debuted its remodeled, expanded store to the public Nov. 20. The remodel more than doubled the size of the shop and expanded its product offerings.
“It had been a dream of ours to expand and update. This project has been in the works for some time, and we’re thrilled it’s becoming a reality,” says Karen Brandolino, director of retail operations. “The store’s refreshed direction was designed with our fabulous patrons in mind, solidifying the museum store’s position as the most artful shopping destination in Milwaukee.”
Located within the Santiago Calatrava-designed Quadracci Pavilion at the Milwaukee Art Museum, the new store footprint extends to a second level and includes the museum’s once-private Quadracci Suite, a space that features Calatrava’s signature organic architecture. The suite overlooks the museum’s Windhover Hall, allowing visitors to see the space from a new angle.
Shopping on the store’s first level features an original Calatrava-designed oval cabinet and more museum merchandise, including apparel, exhibition-specific products and gifts for creative kids. The second floor welcomes back the original Calatrava-designed pearwood display case with a large selection of high-end jewelry, home decor, art books and designer objects.
Brandolino adds that the store’s larger footprint has allowed the shop to expand its merchandise selection, including jewelry, museum store merchandise and designer goods.
In addition to the brick-and-mortar store expansion, the museum has launched a refreshed online store. The new MAMstore.org features a contemporary design, exclusive inventory and an enhanced shopper experience. The online MAMstore features a custom print shop where visitors can order custom-framed, archival-quality prints of artworks featuring favorites from the museum’s collection.
“The Calatrava, as it’s affectionately called by Milwaukeeans, plays a big role in the overall museum experience. The expansion of the popular museum store, both inside this iconic building and online, will delight visitors with new opportunities to connect to and support the Museum,” says Scott Schewebel, CEO. “The refreshed experiences — in addition to cool, unique products — will make the store a must-shop retail destination for visitors, art lovers and creatives alike.”
“We had a beautiful store, but now we have what I would call an iconic store,” adds Brandolino. “I think this is now a space that people are really going to gravitate toward, where they want to come to buy their gifts. And I think there’s something in here for everyone.”
Every purchase at the museum store or MAMstore.org directly supports the museum’s mission to share works of art, reveal their stories and create meaningful experiences to inspire the community.
