By Frankie Pobar Lay
MarketReady Madison
On Wednesday, May 8, Madisonians got their first look inside the future home of the Madison Public Market at 200 N. First St., which currently houses the city’s Fleet Services building. The Public Market Sneak Peek event featured members of the MarketReady program, a project of the Northside Planning Council working in collaboration with the City of Madison to put equity at the center of the market by supporting a diverse group of entrepreneurs as they prepare to apply for a location in the market. MarketReady businesses offered samples and sold goods ranging from prepared foods to jewelry and body care products.
The garage where the City currently services its fire engines and other vehicles was transformed into a market space as visitors mingled and drowned out the sound of music playing from a large pair of speakers. Other vendors interested in having a space at the market were also present, alongside informational tables where people could learn more about MarketReady and the Madison Public Market Foundation, which will operate the market.
The Minneapolis-based architectural firm chosen by the city to design the market itself, MSR Design, displayed posters throughout the space presenting the latest design concepts being considered for the market. Alongside each poster were large pieces of paper available for attendees to provide comments and suggestions. The results of this feedback will be made public after the firm has compiled all the responses.
Over 1,000 people are estimated to have attended the event, which took place in one of three large garage bays contained in the Fleet Services building. The atmosphere of the event was one of excitement, as the public filled the space, chatted with potential market vendors and took guided tours of the rest of the building.
Jamaal Stricklin, president of the Madison Public Market Foundation and co-owner of MarketReady participating business SuperCharge! Foods said that the incredible turnout “highlights the public’s interest in learning more about the market,” a project that has been in the works for over a decade. “It was a great opportunity to answer questions and address concerns about the market,” said Stricklin, as well as to hear public input and build on that momentum to keep the project moving forward.
As a business owner, Stricklin said events like this help MarketReady businesses “showcase what we do as entrepreneurs,” while reaching more customers and starting to imagine what it could be like to be a vendor at the market.
In addition to the garage the event was held in, there is another nearly identical garage of similar size. The two garages are separated by a second story overlook where offices, a small kitchen, and some mezzanine seating may be located. In total, the building contains 44,000 square feet of space available for the design team to work with. The garage closer to E. Washington Ave. is slated to be an event space where concerts, private events and pop-up shops will be scheduled. The garage closer to E. Johnson St. will primarily hold 35 – 40 permanent vendors. Parking will likely be located behind the building, between the future market and Burr Jones Field.
With the market scheduled to open in the Fall of 2021, the City’s Fleet Services will gradually vacate the space over the next year to allow for construction to begin in 2020.
The Madison Public Market Foundation is set to hire an executive director within the next year, at which time applications and criteria for becoming a market vendor will be determined.
Since the Fall of 2017, MarketReady has supported prospective market vendors with their business development by providing training, technical assistance and micro-grants for these entrepreneurs. MarketReady serves applicants from populations who face historic barriers to entrepreneurship, with the goal of creating a market that reflects the cultural diversity of Madison. You can learn more about MarketReady and future Public Market events by visiting www.marketreadymadison.org or by liking their page Facebook.com/MarketReadyMadison.
The news from MarketReady members
MarketReady members are continuing to grow their businesses as they begin their third year of the program.
In 2018, MarketReady business
Caracas Empanadas opened a new food cart, Caracas Arepas.
In 2019, MarketReady business
dZi Little Tibet opened a new restaurant at 827 E. Johnson St.
In 2019, Tamaleria El Poblano run by El Sabor de Puebla secured a local corn supplier and purchased a molino (corn mill) to expand production.
Find MarketReady member products
at local grocery stores, including the Willy St. Co-op.