{image1}After years of behind the scenes work and months of planning and construction, the Milwaukee Public Market, in the Historic Third Ward at 400 N. Water St., is set to open to the public with a Grand Opening ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 15. There will be a "soft" opening the day before for media and VIPs.
The indoor market, with 21,500 sq. ft. of retail space which will house 24 unique, year-round specialty food vendors -- and up to 19 seasonal farm stalls outside -- was modeled in the European style by Kubala Washatko Architects.
One of the goals of the market is to boost economic development in the city and support small businesses and local farmers, while providing new jobs, highlighting Milwaukee's diversity and showcasing specialty and gourmet food, according to Wendy K. Baumann. Baumann initiated the idea for the market after a trip to Seattle where she visited Pike Place Market.
"The keyword is diversity," says Baumann, who is also president of the Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation. "We want to attract a diverse crowd."
Market vendors will sell fresh produce, flowers, coffee roasted on-site, homemade soups, seafood, meat and poultry, bread, pastry, Wisconsin artisan and imported cheeses, as well as ethnic delicacies. On the mezzanine level there will be a palm garden with tables and a demonstration area.
The state-of-the-art Madame Kuony Demonstration Kitchen -- named for the French woman who ran a legendary cooking school in Milwaukee -- will host a variety of cooking classes and demonstrations.
Baumann said that after visiting Seattle's market, she returned to Milwaukee and pitched the idea for a Milwaukee version to then-mayor John Norquist who replied, "Great idea, go do it."
Baumann and a small group of supporters began raising funds and gauging interest, then studying the public market idea for nearly two years, trekking across the country and talking to those involved in successful markets in Philadelphia, Cincinnati and beyond. Although she admits the project has been a long road it was worth it.
{image2}"Each time I looked at it, I'm like' yes, this makes sense,'" says Baumann. "I'm one of those glass half-full persons. The project really has a community swelling. Everyone's really excited."
With 17 of the available 24 indoor spaces rented, the market is still seeking to round out the impressive tenant list with a chocolatier, a spice vendor and a beer, wine and liquor seller and there are prospects for all of them, according to Rebekah K. Schaefer, marketing and public relations director for the market.
"But we want something unique, something outstanding, something you can only get at the market," she says.
"We hope to be completely filled (with vendors) by March 2006," says Schaefer.
Among the vendors that will be in place for the opening are St. Paul's Seafood, which flies in fresh fish daily, ranging from lobster and shrimp to shark; Cedarburg Coffee Roastery, which will also run a smoothie bar; Sushi-a-Go-Go; C. Adams Bakery and Piacentine's Artisan Bread, offering European-style breads and rolls.
Word is that a Middle Eastern ethnic food vendor/restaurant is close to inking a deal, too.
The opening of the indoor portion of the market has taken longer than some have expected, but there's nothing to the delay other than construction concerns and the desire to have at least 17 vendors, a number Schaefer calls "the critical number" of vendors required to make the market a success.
"We want to have a strong opening," says Schaefer. According to her, there's no point in opening the market if everything isn't ready to go.
Milwaukee Public Market's hours are Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The seasonal stalls are open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, during fall. The market is closed on Mondays. The coffee shop, which has a dedicated entrance on St. Paul Avenue, will open earlier on most days. Officals expect the shop to open at 7 a.m., if not sooner.
The market's Web site is milwaukeepublicmarket.org.
