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Jewett & Sherman Merchants’ Mills Building

Building Info

Address:
343 N. Broadway
Taxkey:
3920994000
Architect:
Edward Townsend Mix
Architectural Style:
High Victorian Gothic
Status:
Completed
Assessed Value (Land):
$216,000
Assessed Value (Improvements):
$1,427,900
Assessed Value (Total):
$1,643,900
Assesment Year:
2023
Year Built:
1875
Size:
27,956 square feet

The Jewett & Sherman Merchants’ Mills building is one of the oldest buildings in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. The building was constructed in 1875. The building was restored in 1979. It is a part of the historic “Commission Row” that is central to the Third Ward’s identity.

Jewett and Sherman was once a prominent manufacturer of coffee and spices.

The building was renamed the Product Exchange Building for a portion of its existence. In 1977, it was purchased and extensive remodeling was done before a five-alarm in 1979. Restoration began again after the fire.

The building is often incorrectly referred to as the Merchant Mills Building. A report from 1892 and another from 1896 reference it as The Merchants’ Mills, of the Jewett & Sherman Co. The name is derived from the company’s Merchants Coffee and Spice Mills located at the site.

In early 2014, Colectivo Coffee opened in the form Third Ward Caffe space.

Tenants

The Wicked Hop – Present
Third Ward Caffe (225 E. St. Paul Ave) – Randy and Jane Nelson – 1982 – January 2013
Colectivo Coffee (225 E. St. Paul Ave) – 2014

Learn More

The Business Journal – “Alterra Coffee Plans 3rd Ward Location” – Stacy Vogel Davis – January 18th, 2013
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – “Third Ward Caffe closed” – Carol Deptolla – January 10th, 2013
The Milwaukee Journal – “Third Ward Caffe seeks reorgnization” – December 4th, 1984
The Milwaukee Journal – “Uptown, downtown?” – May 8th, 1983
Milwaukee Public Library Digital Collection Photo – “Merchant Mills Building on E. St. Paul Street“
Milwaukee Public Library Digital Collection Photo – “M. D’Amore and Sons Co.” – March 30th, 1937
Milwaukee, a half century’s progress, 1846-1896: a review of the Cream City’s wonderful growth and development from incorporation until the present time – 1896
Milwaukee’s Great Industries: A Compilation of Facts Concerning Milwaukee’s Commercial and Manufacturing Enterprises, Its Trade and Commerce, and the Advantages it Offers to Manufacturers Seeking Desirable Locations for New Or Established Industries – 1892