The Schempf Building: Dedication as an official Watertown, WI historic landmark

A formal dedication of the Schempf building as an official Watertown historic landmark took place on Friday, June 26 at 2 p.m. Click "read more" below and watch the video for more on this exciting news!  

Value in redevelopment

What is the value of redevelopment? We think redeveloping and restoring historic, unused buildings can have a great positive impact on a community. In the case of the long-vacant Schempf Building at 207 and 209 Main St., restoring the building to its original grandeur can bring economic vitality to downtown Watertown...  

Schempf’s says Merry Christmas

Watertown Downtown plan

Download the 2014 Redevelopment Resources plan PDF here!

A Bygone Era To Return

This week’s announcement that the old Schempf Bros. Store building, for nearly a century a retail anchor store in Watertown, had been sold, is big news indeed.
Bill Lindborg, a Long Beach, Calif., redeveloper of old buildings of this type and a descendant of the Schempf family here in Watertown, has a big vision for the property and he plans to move quickly to start the restoration process...  

Large vacant building sold

The long vacant Schempf's Department Store building in downtown Watertown, more recently known as the home of Calico Cottage, Kline's, S. S. Kresge's and Montgomery Ward, has been sold to a Long Beach, Calif., man with strong ties to Watertown...