South Milwaukee Spring Market

Season four of the South Milwaukee Downtown Market begins with an indoor Spring Market on Saturday, April 21, at Caterpillar’s Heritage Building and Global Mining Heritage Museum.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event will feature more than 40 regular market vendors – and some new faces – selling arts, crafts, organics, baked goods, prepared foods and other specialty items. Live music from South Milwaukee’s Ron Plevak and local students is also planned.

The recently remodeled and expanded museum, located inside the Heritage Building, 1970 10th Ave., will also be open during the market, giving customers a chance to experience this one-of-a-kind South Milwaukee attraction.

“Caterpillar continues to be a great partner for the Downtown Market,” said South Milwaukee Alderman Erik Brooks, one of the market’s co-founders and a member of the South Milwaukee Downtown Market Committee. “We couldn’t do it without them, nor without a host of other community partners that have helped us grow so much.”

The Spring Market comes a little over a month before the start of the Downtown Market’s summer season. It begins Thursday, May 24, and runs for 21 weeks through Oct. 11. The outdoor market is located just south of Caterpillar on and around 11th Avenue and features more than 60 vendors, weekly live music and special events.

“We’re really excited about our summer season and this special Spring Market,” said Bob Pfeiffer, chairman of the South Milwaukee Downtown Market Committee. “Our indoor market series has been a big success, and the Spring Market is another example.”

Summer Market Vendors Sought

The Downtown Market – already one of the largest in the region – is also looking for additional vendors for its summer season.

“We already have a wonderful and unique group of vendors that no other market can match, and we couldn’t do this without them,” said Jim Shelenske, South Milwaukee’s city clerk and market co-founder. “Still, we are always looking to build on that base with the right kind of vendors who are looking to join something special.”

Vendor fees remain unchanged from 2011 at $300 for the full season – less than $15 per week. Electricity is available, among other vendor amenities.

Vendors interested in selling at the market should visit the market website for applications, rules and other important information.

Stay tuned for more information on the summer market season in coming weeks.

About the South Milwaukee Downtown Market

Area residents looking for a unique shopping experience travel to downtown South Milwaukee, where they find an eclectic mix of merchants selling fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, flowers, art, jewelry and other local goods. They also find a sampling of area restaurants, live entertainment and special events as part of what is a true destination for families, foodies and everyone in between. It’s a simple yet ambitious vision – one that the South Milwaukee Downtown Market has achieved ever since it launched in July of 2009. Located on 11th and Milwaukee Avenues near the heart of the South Milwaukee city center, the Downtown Market has grown to become one of the largest in the area with more than 60 regular vendors and hundreds of regular customers. It is operated by a committee of local residents, business owners and city and civic leaders that all have the same goal in mind: find new ways to breathe new life and instill new energy in downtown South Milwaukee.