Mike Bjorn’s clothing store dresses up as a Kenosha attraction

, 2

Kenosha
Mike Bjorn’s front window display says it all. This is not your typical clothing store. It’s an attraction.

A clothing store AND a tourist attraction. It can only mean one place – Mike Bjorn’s in downtown Kenosha, Wisconsin. Mike Bjorn’s Fine Clothing is home to a never-ending supply of suits and tuxedos, but it’s also the home to a unique museum.

Bjorn, who operates the store with his wife and son, didn’t think running a clothing store was in his future more than three decades ago when he started out life as an adult. As a salesman, he grew tired of working for others without the security a good job should bring. So, one day, he and his wife decided to go into business for themselves. They saved money and eventually bought their store.

The original Bjorn’s was in a small bay of a building. They expanded once more before settling on their current location, across the street from a coffee and wine shop and just up the street from Lake Michigan and some fine dining locations.

Kenosha
Bjorn’s has some chic tuxes.

Mike Bjorn’s is known for offering reasonably priced – Ok, cheap – tuxedos. But, there’s nothing cheap about their product. They offer quality clothing options. The way Mike looks at it is you sell enough clothes at a reasonable price, more people will visit the store.

But, that’s only part of the plan. You have to get them inside the store in order to have them buy the tuxes, suits, shirts, shoes, ties and hats hanging on display. So, how do he and his family get people to visit the store? With off-the-wall attractions, such as wall paintings of ships, model planes hanging from the ceiling and statues of animals wearing clothes. Can you imagine seeing a turtle with a bow tie? Welcome to Mike Bjorn’s.

Kenosha
Forget the Teenage Ninja Turtles, this dude is a sharp dresser.

Lisa and I thought we’d spend about half an hour visiting the store during our visit to Kenosha. We spent that much time just talking to the man. He loves what he does. That’s for sure. And that love carries down to his son’s view of the store.

Kenosha
Paintings hang along a wall in the store. They’re part of the attraction.

As we strolled through the store, I struggled NOT to shoot photographs. Almost everywhere I turned, there was something that caught my eye. Bjorn was the artist behind some of the paintings.

Kenosha
Mike Bjorn is always on the look out for interesting model planes to add to the store’s collection.

“Everyone loves models,” he said, as we were enjoying a look at the planes hanging above us. He looks for new items to display in order to keep people coming back.

What about the clothing, itself? He was among the first men’s clothing store in Wisconsin to stock and prominently display colorful socks. He reads a lot and strives to stay relevant among chain clothing stores.

“I read bow ties were coming back,” Bjorn said. “So, we got bow ties and displayed them.”

Kenosha
Bow ties and more bow ties.

Staying relevant has kept Bjorn’s as one of the few remaining locally owned men’s clothing stores in the state. A memorial to the “fallen” stores hangs near the storefront. Clothes hangers numbers in the dozens, signifying other mom and pop stores that have faded from Wisconsin’s main streets.

Kenosha
Each hanger represents a Wisconsin mom and pop clothing store that has shuttered over the years.

The store’s clothing line runs the gamut of traditional black tuxedos to ones with more flair, including a camouflaged jacket.

Kenosha
If this is worn during the fall for homecoming, would you see the guy in the woods?

One suit reminded me of the “Joker” from the “Batman” series, with a bright green shirt tucked inside of a deep purple suit.

Kenosha
I know where the Joker shops.

The store has two floors of jam packed clothes. The descent to the basement reveals a wall full of old pictures of politicians and celebrities.

The basement is wall-to-wall with suits and shoes. The suits range from a small child’s to one with a kilt.

Kenosha
If you need a kilt, check out Mike Bjorn’s.

Movie posters and mannequin “body” parts line the ceiling. Mike Bjorn’s definitely offers shoppers a sense of humor while browsing.

Kenosha
Decorations run the gamut at Bjorn’s clothing store.

Bjorn’s obviously has struck a chord with the public. People come from all over – including Milwaukee and Chicago – for tuxedos for proms, weddings, etc. Kenosha is a short drive from each city, along the shoreline of Lake Michigan.

We loved the almost 90 minutes we spent at the store. Mike is an affable man. His family are just as nice as he is. When in Kenosha, we strongly recommend checking out Mike Bjorn’s Fine Clothing store. You will have a fun time. And the great thing is admission is free. However, we make no guarantees that you’ll leave the store without buying some colorful socks, a bow tie, maybe a hat…

Kenosha
Top o’ the morning to you.

For more information on Mike Bjorn’s, check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Mike-Bjorns-clothing-123873191003137/?fref=ts or www.visitkenosha.com.