A rendering of the future Woodman's in Oshkosh.
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Oshkosh’s Plan Commission advanced the plan for the new Woodman’s store at the plot currently occupied by The Shops at Oshkosh outlet mall.
Woodman’s first revealed its plan to build a 270,000-square-foot store in March, two years after buying the site for $12 million in 2024.
If approved by the full Common Council, the 39-acre site will include a grocery store, gas station and car wash. It’ll replace the entire outlet mall site except for the mini golf course.
Plans call for the new store will be 270,000 square feet, slightly larger than the average Woodman’s store.
The Plan Commission approved the vote 7-1.
“I’m glad that the two parties came together and came up with a reasonable plan,” said Plan Commission Chair Thomas Perry.
Added developer Jim Arneson: “I think we have a plan that we agree we like, and I think staff supports.”
Entire mall will be razed
Right now, more than two-thirds of the storefronts in the outlet malls are empty. To make room for the grocery store, the entire mall will be razed. The only things remaining will be the mini golf course and the vacant restaurant.
“It’s just not as vibrant as the area at once was,” said Oshkosh Deputy Mayor Karl Buelow. “I think a redevelopment to a store that is going to bring in business, people shopping from other communities – Ripon or Fond du Lac even coming up to shop, there is definitely a huge boon. I think it’s going to be an amazing asset for EAA to have an area to go grocery shopping right across the street.”
The site plan now just needs approval from Common Council. It’ll likely decide whether to approve at its next meeting on May 12. Woodman’s was not available to answer our questions, but previously has indicated that construction would begin next year at the earliest.
This would be the third Northeast Wisconsin city with a Woodman’s, with Grand Chute and Howard being the others.
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