Muskego Hopes for a Farmers Market This Summer - Your Input Needed
It's been a little under the radar, but plans have been started to bring a 'Green Market' to Muskego. Organizers are looking for vendors - and your input on a venue - to send it onward.
It's been one of those topics of conversation that everyone seems to agree on, but without organization it goes nowhere. Until recently, as Shannon Barbian and friend Sharon Hopp have started the legwork to make a farmer's market a reality in Muskego.
Barbian asked Muskego Patch to help out with a poll of where residents might want to see the market in town, and we were happy to oblige.
"I've been involved with the Brookfield market, and it's killing me that Muskego doesn't already have one," said Barbian, who sells Ney's Big Sky meats at the market. "Our goal here will be to have things be as local as possible, and I've got to believe we've got farmers who would like to join us."
The market is set for Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m., which Barbian says they chose in order to have vendors participate while still serving people who work. The coming season would include weekly markets from June 6 to October 3.
Barbian and Hopp are looking for interested vendors, and said that the seasonal cost would be $125.
If you are a vendor that has hand made and local products (no national direct sellers, please) and would be interested in signing up, or if you have other questions, please contact Barbian at shannonbarbian@gmail.com.
Muskego Mike
12:20 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
Good luck with your efforts, wish it was on a weekend though. The Saturday green market in Greendale is fun to attend. Being right downtown, it's great to get a cup of coffee and fresh bakery.
Denise Konkol
12:50 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
Because they are ALL on a weekend, it's tough to get vendors. The hours they're proposing make it possible to still get there after work, no?
Lori S
3:17 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
I love the idea of a week day market. I believe Mukwonago has one on Wed. afternoon/evenings, but not much variety in vendors. I work the Saturday market in Waukesha, so the only way I could make it to Muskego is during the week :)
Amy
12:51 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
There is a lot of room in the Muskego Centre parking lot, that may be a great location to consider. I think Muskego needs a farmers market.
Warriors Mom
3:08 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
Sounds like a great idea, they should have it in the old ACE Hardware parking lot, that's a great central location. Just hope things are priced affordable & it should make it.
Jenny Hartlmeier
3:41 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
A farmers market in Muskego, any day, would be great!
Nichole
3:47 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
This is so exciting and that photo makes me salivate thinking about the bounty of freshness to come!
Muskego Mike
3:48 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
With the West Allis, Hales Corners, New Berlin, and Greendale markets available on the weekend, the weekend shoppers have plenty of options. I think this is great for Muskego.
Jessie Voss
5:09 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
I think this is a great idea! With all the parents dropping and picking up kids during the work week... There is plenty of traffic.
Lori
7:33 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
LOVE this idea! What about the high school parking lot?
Muskego Mom
10:02 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
I think the High School Parking lot is a great idea! Otherwise, by the settlement area (off of Racine, near the police station)
PatW
9:37 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Too bad we have a tree farm in the middle of the city. That would have been a great place for it. With that said, Muskego Settlement would be a great spot with parking and visibility a plus.
JM
10:21 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The highest traffic counts are along Janesville Road and this area will get better with the reconstruction. A central location here will draw the most. Working with a local business downtown to use their parkling lot or maybe the Library in the green area and rec trails in front there would work well temporarily until a larger downtown site might be found?
Concerned Citizen
10:50 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Wow! How exciting! I think ANYWHERE will be great and the hours will definitely work for almost all unless you are a 2nd shifter :( Such great news for Muskego!
Amanda Jordan
10:58 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Love that it's coming to Muskego! Love that the hours are "after work"! Yay!
William B Murphy
12:27 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
I love the idea 'not sure if I like the Thurs. thing.Something is better than nothing.
Quinn
2:14 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Ditto what others have said. It's a great idea for Muskego, but not a huge fan of having on a weekday. Better than nothing though.
Shannon Barbian
2:33 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
I want to be a little more specific here folks. Nothing is set yet. We are simply looking for an opinion type poll. I can tell you though that the Settlement site and probably Veteran's Park are out. There is the summer child care program at both sites and it wouldn't be safe for the kids to have all those people milling around, know what I mean? However, I AM working on it and will hopefully have something more concrete over the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, if you know of anyone who would like more information or just to be kept in the loop as far as being a vendor, please have them email me! Thank you all so much for your support!
Dr. Jodie
10:34 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
How about the Muskego Chamber parking lot?
How about Wednesday evening, mid-week?
William B Murphy
1:32 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
What,where is "The Muskego Chamber parking lot" ?
Denise Konkol
11:57 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013
The owners of the lot have nixed that idea. The lot is at Parkland and Janesville. (Sherwin Williams, O'Reilly, etc are there).
Dr. Jodie
10:31 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
The Muskego Post Office Parking Lot/ Chamber Lot
across the street from Pick n Save--very visible!
people going to Pick n Save would say, "oh a Farmer's market! Let's stop there..."
I love Veteran's Park, but too far off the beaten path to be noticed by the masses!
Muskego Mom
8:38 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013
Very interested, and agree with a Janesville road location. As with anything, location is the most important thing, so, putting it in a high traffic, and Central location makes most sense. Thursday 3-7 is interesting... in time for weekend planning, and doesnt clash with other Farmers Markets. Hope this plan is able to move forward!!
doridee
8:51 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013
I like the idea of the old ACE hardware parking lot. On Janesville road for lots of traffic and lots of parking. Could you even rent out the old ACE building? Then your event could be rain or shine! Post Office parking lot...isn't there also a vacant field right there? Sounds like a good choice too. I don't like the idea of anything on Racine Ave.
Kqclark
10:50 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013
Great idea!
The Anti-Alinsky
11:57 am on Friday, February 1, 2013
Why not check with Muskego Elementary? There can't be too much going on after 6:00, especially during the summer months. Plus the kids would have a playground so parents could spend a little more time at the vendors' tables.
Dr. Jodie
2:20 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Love the Muskego El idea!