Shopko

Shopko began in 1962 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, as a discount department store serving communities across the Midwest and Western United States. Over the decades, the company expanded steadily, at one point operating more than 360 stores and becoming a familiar anchor in secondary and tertiary markets. Shopko’s stores offered a wide range of products, including apparel, home goods, electronics, pharmacy services, and optical care, with a particular focus on value and convenience for local shoppers. The brand also grew through acquisitions, most notably by integrating the Pamida chain, which helped strengthen its reach in rural and suburban areas.

As of June 2019, Shopko’s retail footprint had reached its peak but soon faced significant challenges. The company struggled with rising competition and changes in consumer shopping habits, leading to a bankruptcy filing in early 2019. By mid-2019, Shopko had closed all of its department stores and vacated its headquarters, leaving behind a portfolio of former retail sites that have since become attractive options for redevelopment and new tenants, especially in Midwest markets.

While the department store business ceased, Shopko Optical, the company’s vision care subsidiary, continued to operate and adapt. In 2024, Shopko Optical was acquired by Fielmann Group, a move that has supported its ongoing expansion and stability. Today, Shopko Optical remains active, building on its legacy and evolving under new ownership. The brand’s history and transition have made its former locations notable for landlords and developers considering repositioning opportunities, and Shopko Optical’s continued growth offers a credible, specialized tenant option in the vision care sector.