Kohler To Open First Store In Chicago This Month

Kohler Co. is entering the retail arena with the opening of a 7,000-sq.-ft. flagship store in the LuxeHome area of the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, scheduled for mid-October. The store will feature functioning kitchen and bath products from its Kohler, Kallista® and Robern® brands. Its sales staff will offer design development and project assistance services.

New York City architect firm Janson Goldstein Architects, LLP, was commissioned to design the new Kohler store, which is intended to serve consumers, architects and designers.

Ann Sacks®, a subsidiary brand of Kohler Co., will open an adjoining 4,000-sq.-ft. showroom space featuring its tile, stone and plumbing products.

"The Kohler Store will prove to be an excellent complement to our existing distribution channels,” said Jim Lewis, director of market development at Kohler Co. “The stores are an investment in the future of our wholesale distribution both in terms of our distributors owning these stores in the future and the lessons Kohler can learn that can then be applied to our current showroom program."