Art Imig's to be renovated for Korean BBQ restaurant
$1.1 million project will transform the Downtown Sheboygan building
SHEBOYGAN — Significant renovations are slated for a historic Downtown Sheboygan storefront to accommodate a new restaurant.
SEAR’D will be a Korean BBQ and karaoke restaurant located at 723 New York Avenue, the former Art Imig’s store. May Xiong, a Project Manager at Johnsonville, plans to purchase and renovate the two-story 8,542-square-foot building in the heart of Harbor Centre Downtown. The restaurant will have built-in tabletop grills and private karaoke rooms. According to Xiong, the venue will bring an interactive and upscale dining experience.
In April, the Sheboygan Redevelopment Authority approved a $250,000 loan to go towards the $1.1 million project. In 1987, the City of Sheboygan established a revolving loan fund to assist with new business start-ups and expanding businesses. The endowment is federally funded and funds are tied to new job creation goals.1
The restaurant will feature seating for as many as 150 guests, creating a welcoming space for both casual diners and larger gatherings. Korean cuisine is experiencing a surge in popularity, driven by cultural interest and the growing influence of K-pop. SEAR’D plans to employ 12 workers when it opens.
In 1987, Art Imig’s opened a second store at The Shops at Woodlake in Kohler. Art Imig II was the last family member to own the business before it was sold in late 2013 to Jake Toman. During what would have been their 110th year, Art Imig's closed its Downtown Sheboygan store in February 2019 due to flooding and never reopened.2 The Kohler location rebranded to Toman’s in November 2019 and closed in early 2024.
Toman sold the Downtown Sheboygan building to Cory Kramer in November 2024.
The Art Imig's building will require significant improvements. Last month, multiple broken windows were observed. Peeling paint and abandoned equipment were also present. It is not known if the historic gas light will remain part of the building when the restaurant opens. Attempts to reach Xiong were unsuccessful and Kramer refused to comment for this story.
Follow WKTS News on Facebook and X for the latest local news.
Sources
Support for New Business Startups
sheboyganwi.gov
Art Imig's "Off The Rack"
Facebook