Kohls is an American department store retailing chain. The first Kohls store was a corner grocery store opened in Milwaukee Wisconsin in 1927 by Maxwell Kohl. The companys first department store opened in September 1962.Kohls is an American department store retailing chain. The first Kohls store was a corner grocery store opened in Milwaukee Wisconsin in 1927 by Maxwell Kohl. The companys first department store opened in September 1962.