A NEW ERA. The plans for the new Wisconsin Farmers Union State Headquarters include a food hall, office space, and residential apartments. (Submitted photos)

A year after announcing the purchase of a new headquarters in downtown Chippewa Falls, the Wisconsin Farmers union has released plans for the three-story, 45,000-square-foot building – plans that promise to be exciting for both the organization and the community as a whole.

Located right across the street from Riverfront Park in Chippewa Falls, the nearly 120-year-old brick building is slated to be home to a “Food Hall” on the first floor, which will be able to house 14 independent small businesses. Though no tenants have been officially chosen for the space, there is a strong desire for a barbecue restaurant, a pizza place, a cafe and cocktail spot, a microbrewery, a farm-to-table restaurant, and a bakery.

“We currently have 18 active conversations with potential businesses that would like to call this location their next home or a satellite location of their already successful business,” said Jackie Boos, facilities director for the Farmers Union.

In the spirit of farming, the Farmers Union will require that restaurants housed in the building purchase at least 15% of their ingredients and materials from Wisconsin farms. The first floor will also be equipped with access points to Riverfront Park and lots of communal seating, making it a potential home for events and live music in the area.

The second floor will serve as the state headquarters for the Farmers Union. There is enough space for social events, the educational division, board meetings, and a staff of 24 people serving the community. There are also about 2,200 square feet for other businesses to lease in the future.

“The headquarters was going to obviously be a great component because that's what we needed. With our team growing and our mission as strong as it is, we really wanted to have a building that reflected the power and the intention behind our organization,” Boos said.

The third floor will become something that Chippewa Falls has demand for – an apartment complex. The idea to turn the third floor into apartments came from the previous owner of the building who lived on that floor. Realizing the great location – with views of the park and the Chippewa River – and the large space, the idea was a gimme.

Learn more about the Wisconsin Farmers Union at wisconsinfarmersunion.com. Any businesses interested in a space at the new headquarters can reach out to Jackie Boos at jboos@wisconsinfarmersunion.com.