Students looking for an alternative to traditional grocery shopping will find a tasty treat when the Milwaukee Public Market opens Oct. 15.
The market, located at 400 N. Water Street in the Historic Third Ward neighborhood, will house more than 20 specialty food vendors as well as a seasonal Farmer's Market outside the structure.
While the Farmer's Market, open Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will close for the season on Nov. 13, the rest of the market will be open six days a week all year.
Rebekah Schaefer, director of marketing and public relations for the Milwaukee Public Market, said the market will include everything from sushi to soup, as well as two butchers and an organic produce section. Ethnic and world foods, artisan breads and cheeses and Wisconsin specialties will also be available.
"The market is a nice alternative to ramen noodles and mac and cheese," Schaefer said. "It is a student's mecca for healthy, fresh food."
Schaefer said the market will have competitive prices because of the value and quality of its products.
"Unlike a traditional grocery store — and we're not a grocery store — you can decide how much you want of something instead of getting pre-packaged foods. If you want six grapes, you can have six grapes. That type of pricing is an advantage for students with a budget," Schaefer said.
Vivian King, director of public affairs for Roundy's Supermarkets Inc., said the market should not affect business at local Pick'n Save supermarkets.
"We never worry about the competition," King said. "We have great stores and we always try to focus on satisfying our customers."
The two closest full-service grocery stores to Marquette are both Pick'n Save stores.
College of Engineering sophomore Neal Styka is interested in organic cooking and said the market should be a fun place to shop.
"I'm thrilled. Buying fresh vegetables and produce from people other than the big supermarkets helps out the local farmers and is overall healthier and better," Styka said.
Milwaukee native and College of Health Sciences sophomore Heather Bergstrom thinks the market will be good for the city.
"I think it will be a wonderful addition to downtown," Bergstrom said. "It will bring many different types of cultures together so everyone can experience something new."
The market has been in the works for eight years and was supposed to open July 15, when the Farmer's Market opened, but construction delays pushed back the grand opening to Oct.15, Schaefer said.
"I'm hoping all those who have lots of pent-up anticipation about the market will show up at the grand opening," Schaefer said.
The grand opening ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. Oct. 15.
This article was published in The Marquette Tribune on September 6, 2005.