“A twist of fate” doesn’t even begin to describe how my opportunity to own Broadway Paper came about. Having grown up in the Milwaukee area, but leaving for many years to experience the world and further my education, I never imagined myself ending up back in my hometown. After some unexpected turn of events, a “temporary” return home turned into the biggest opportunity of my life.
Looking for “just a job,” and wanting to be part of Broadway Paper, I accepted a position in the Shipping & Receiving department during the holiday season of 2008. After a short time of heavy lifting and opening hundreds of boxes in the stockroom, I found myself wondering why I accepted this position.
Something inside of me told me to stay, and I’m glad I did! Working in this position gave me the inside scoop of all of the inter-workings of Broadway Paper.
I soon found out that the owner at the time was in search of a new owner. As we grew closer, we both realized my future was not in Shipping & Receiving, but as the owner! In May of 2009 I became the new owner of Broadway Paper.
When people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always said, “When I’m 50, I want to own my own stationery store.” Searching to live my life for myself, I questioned, “Why 50, why not now?” and I am so happy I did.
—Kate Strzok
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Broadway Paper has deep roots in Milwaukee and has always been woman owned and operated since its inception in 1988; two doors away from its current location. The original owner of Broadway Paper, Lorette Russenberger, decided to open Broadway Paper as an outlet to sell her Cream City Ribbon in a retail environment. Her original intention was to open only as a seasonal store during Christmas, but the response was so great, she kept it open year-round. At that time, it was only the second retail store located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.
Lorette ran the store until 1996, when Linda Longworth walked in one day and asked if she ever thought of selling. Lorette said “no, but that she might.” Two weeks later, they closed the deal! After owning the store for more than six years and running the business from either side of the globe, Linda decided to sell the store. A love of all things paper and excellent timing found Tracie Stier-Johnson the next owner of Broadway Paper! Never satisfied with the familiar, Tracie made it her personal goal to always find simple objects of unique quality.
Tracie took Broadway Paper to new heights from a 1,200 square foot outlet to a 3,200 square foot boutique. In December 2008, Tracie decided the time had come to focus on her family and sell the store. Current owner Kate Strzok approached Tracie regarding the sale of the store. The two came to terms and Kate knew in her heart she couldn’t pass up on such an amazing opportunity.
