History of The Hub

What’s in a Name?

At The Hub Realty, the name is just about…everything.

In 1898, F.J. Schmitz founded a clothing store specializing in fine menswear, nestled on the capital square at 22 W. Mifflin Street.

The name of the store? – “The Hub.”

This clothing store served Madison-dwellers for more than a century, and became a staple within the community, celebrated for its refined customer service and dedication to the city.

Over the decades, through several different generations of the Schmitz family serving at the helm, The Hub became a city staple with locations in West Gorham, East Towne and Hilldale.

While The Hub closed its doors in 1990, it’s still an integral piece of Madison’s history. And it remains a foundation for our business today.

historical storefront of The Hub

Keeping it Classic

Fast-forward five generations of the Schmitz family, and here we are. Still serving Madison and still instilled with a love for this community we call home.

When it came time to name our business, the choice was simple. Leaning into the past and inspired by the future, we picked up the baton and carried the family name forward, breathing new life into The Hub and what it stood for – heritage-loving, but with a youthful modern twist.

Today our name is more than just a heartwarming talking point over coffee chats with clients. It’s a nod to the Schmitz family legacy and a celebration of exactly why our clients choose us. Our passion and expertise as a literal “hub” for real estate and those who love home as much as we do.

While our business endeavors are quite different from that first clothier on capital square, the heart for serving people remains the cornerstone of our family inheritance.

It’s our honor to carry the family name into the 21st century and we hope to remain an integral part of our community for decades to come.

Photo Credit: Wisconsin Historical Society