Recently, Mariyam Nayeri started Mercado Magic – a weekly gathering of makers, collectors, artists and healers – inside her space, Botanica Galactica, 719 S. 5th St.

Mercado Magic takes place every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offers a special Night Market on the third Thursday of every month from 5 to 9 p.m. The events feature a rotating combination of vendors selling vintage, handcrafted jewelry, CBD products, apothecary products, art and food along with tarot and reiki services, live DJs and local musicians.

"Markets are a great incubator for entrepreneurs and artists to try something new," says Nayeri.

Later this year, Nayeri plans to open a vegan and vegetarian cafe and a community space offering health and wellness classes along with the market in Botanica Galactica.

Nayeri grew up in Milwaukee, graduated from the Milwaukee High School of the Arts and lived and worked in New York City for 16 years where she organized numerous markets.

"I have a lineage of markets in my blood. I grew up selling trinkets with my grandparents at the 7 Mile Fair," she says.

Nayeri decided to move back to Milwaukee to raise her family – she is expecting her second child any day – and wanted to open a market in her hometown.

"The market is inclusive, fun and family-friendly," says Nayeri. "Our mission is to cerebrate the talents and passions of all different kinds of entrepreneurs of this city that we love so much."

_{(PHOTO: Herrada Photos)}