Former Milwaukee Walmart being converted to a Latin grocery, other businesses. It’s seeking state grant

A former Walmart Neighborhood Market’s conversion into a Latin American-focused grocery and other businesses near State Fair Park could be helped with a $250,000 state grant.

Among with the new Monterrey Market, the redeveloped building, at 7025 W. Main St., will include a Monte Financial Services, Don Chamoy ice cream shop, and American One Insurance as tenants.

It “will not only provide groceries and services to the local community in an identified food desert” but also add up to 55 full-time and 25 part-time jobs, according to a report to the County Board.

The grant application to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. was approved Monday by the board’s Committee for Community, Environment and Economic Development. It requires a 75% match from private financing sources.

Walmart closed the grocery in May, laying off 105 workers.

The 39,900-square-foot building was sold in January for $4.35 million to Seismontes LLC, led by Robert Montemayor. He operates Monterrey Market groceries at 3014 S. 13^th St. and 3920 S. 27th St.

Montemayor plans to have the Main Street store open in June.

The renovations will include new automatic entrances, carpentry, coolers, and freezers; upgrades to electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and fire sprinkler systems; structural improvements such as masonry, millwork, and suspended ceilings, as well as additional security measures, updated signs, and painting, according to the county report.

It’s among three former Milwaukee Walmarts that are redevelopment targets.

A 157,000-square-foot former Walmart superstore and its 17-acre lot, 10330 W. Silver Spring Drive, were sold in January for $3.5 million to 10330 Exceeding LLC, led by gas station and convenience store operator Anup Khullar. Walmart closed that store in 2023.

Khullar has filed conceptual plans with the city Department of Neighborhood Services which call for a grocery store, liquor store, convenience store, child care center and other unspecified commercial tenants.

Those plans also say two apartment buildings, each with just under 50 parking stalls, could be built in part of the parking lot.

A 161,000-square-foot Walmart superstore and its 15-acre lot, in Midtown Center at 5825 W. Hope Ave., were sold for $3.28 million in 2022 to an affiliate of Council Bluffs, Iowa-based Affordable Family Storage. Walmart closed the store in 2016.

The firm in 2023 proposed converting 107,000 square feet into 850 self-storage units, with the remaining space used as four small- and mid-sized retail and commercial storefronts.