Tina L. Scott
EDITOR
On Thursday, Dec. 16, Weinbrenner Shoe Company announced they will soon aquire the former Hurd Window & Door and Great Lakes Alfalfa property located on Genesee Street, along the River Bend Trail in Merrill. On Dec. 8, the Merrill Common Council paved the way for the acquisition when they authorized a development agreement by and between Weinbrenner and the City of Merrill. According to a press release issued by the company, the acquisition will be finalized March 1, 2021.
“We have outgrown the current Polk St. facility,” says Jeff Burns, President of Weinbrenner Shoe Company. “This expansion provides the space needed to support the increased demand for our ‘Made in the USA’ footwear well into the foreseeable future”.
Weinbrenner Shoe Company was founded in Wisconsin in 1892 and has since become an industry leader in the manufacture of job-related footwear. In 1917, the company introduced the Thorogood brand, Weinbrenner’s premier line of job-fitted occupational footwear. The brand has become a recognized name in boots for the working trades, including industrial safety, fire, rescue, military, tactical, uniform and outdoor footwear.
The acquisition will expand manufacturing and warehouse space by more than 110,000 square feet. The new Genesee Street location will provide a brighter and more spacious environment with new cafeterias, break rooms, bathrooms, and outdoor areas. Renovations to the existing buildings will be required and are scheduled to begin this spring, with a goal to be in production by next fall. The facility expects to be fully operational early 2022.