Village President Dave Lienau is still in shock over Monday’s announcement by Shopko to close all of its locations nationwide, including its popular Sister Bay Hometown store. The retailer was already liquidating 250 stores, including its Hometown store location in Kewaunee, when it made the announcement. It will leave a big hole in the village’s tax base and retail economy. Lienau, who also owns the neighboring Sister Bay Mobil, says the village will be able to move forward eventually, but that is not the real focus right now.
Lienau says he is not sure of what is even available to fill Shopko’s building when it closes by mid-June, but added they will work with the Door County Economic Development Corporation to help find a potential tenant.