Maxwell Kohl immigrated to the U.S. and opened a corner grocery store, Kohl's Food Stores, in 1927 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By 1962, the company branched out to open the department store Kohl's. They branded this department store as a middle option between high-end department stores and discount stores. Several celebrities, including Avril Lavigne, Jennifer Lopez, Paula DeAnda, Tony Hawk, and Marc Anthony, have sold exclusive branded clothing at Kohl's.