Lockers Tosa location is on the move, but not far

After more than 100 years, Lockers Florist will permanently leave the corner of North 92nd Street and West North Avenue for new digs at 8901 W. North Ave.

The new location will put Lockers across the street from Ray's liquor store and in the same building with John's Sandwich Shop, Anytime Fitness and Boutique B'lou.

For the next few days, Lockers will remain open in the 92nd Street location, though the staff has moved one of the coolers and some display fixtures to the new storefront. Fred Botta, one of the partners who owns the florist along with Chris Leffler of Leff's Lucky Town and others, said he hopes to have the new location open by the end of next week.

Several factors led to the owners moving the store two blocks east. He said the main reason was more parking for customers. It's also an attractive space with a good variety of tenants.

Botta said the owners were a bit torn about the decision.

"It's kind of bitter sweet leaving after so long. We want a strong presence in Wauwatosa because that's been our home. We look forward to another 100 years in Wauwatosa," he said.

With Lockers' departure, Lockers Pointe will now have at least three commercial units open and three of the seven condominiums on the upper floors for sale.

One persistent rumor has been that the always busy and very popular Alterra Coffee shop would expand into the space Lockers vacated, but it isn't true. Ramie Camarena, events and communications coordinator for Alterra Coffee, said, "We have no plans to expand into the Locker's Florist space."

Botta wants the public to know that, should the Wauwatosa location be closed for a day or two during the transition, Lockers still has locations in West Allis, where the company's design center is located, and in downtown Milwaukee that are both ready to serve customers.

Robert Warde is a freelance business writer living in Wauwatosa. He has been a journalist for more than 27 years and a business journalist for the past 16 years. Reach him at robert.warde@yahoo.com.