Author: Admin

Madison Public Market to Host Donor Preview Tours as  Construction Enters Phase 2  

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MADISON, Wis. — The Madison Public Market will welcome donors and key  supporters for a series of preview tours next week, offering an early look inside  the facility as it officially enters Phase 2 of construction.  

The tours mark a major milestone for the highly-anticipated project, as interior  build-outs begin for merchants who will operate within the Market. Attendees  will get a behind-the-scenes view of construction progress and hear directly  from the project team about what’s ahead in the coming months.  

As part of Phase 2, merchants are finalizing leases and working alongside  architects, designers, and contractors to transform their spaces into permanent  homes for their businesses.  

Timelines are being followed to ensure merchants have the time needed to  complete high-quality build-outs. The Market is now planning soft-opening  programming and public tours beginning in May, with a grand opening  anticipated in summer 2026.  

“The Madison Public Market would not be where it is today without the  incredible support of our donors,” said Madison Public Market CEO Keisha  Harrison. “These tours are an opportunity to show our appreciation and give  supporters a first look at the space they helped bring to life. We’re excited for  them to see the progress firsthand and the momentum building toward  opening.”  

Initial construction is already underway for select vendors. Melly Mell’s has  begun work in partnership with Haven Builders, while additional merchants —  including Caracas Empanadas Y Más, The Chowpati, Cinn City Smash, Cervato  Wine, and The Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream — are advancing their build-out  plans with Elite Construction Group. The Market will be closed throughout  much of April due to additional site construction.  

In addition to construction progress, the Market continues to prepare for  upcoming community engagement. Following the donor preview tours, the 

Market will expand public-facing activities in May, including food truck pop-ups  featuring future merchants and vendors, guided tours, and opportunities to  meet the businesses that will call the Market home and more.  

“We know the community is eager to walk through these doors, and we share  that excitement,” said Anya Firszt, Madison Public Market Board President.  “What’s happening right now is about building something lasting — a space  that reflects Madison’s energy, creativity, and local flavor. We’re getting closer  every day, and it’s going to be worth the wait.”  

For more information email media@madisonpublicmarket.org  

Media Contact: 

EMAIL: media@madisonpublicmarket.org

New Merchant Announcement: Caracas Empanadas Y Mas

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The Madison Public Market is excited to announce another new business opening in the Market in 2026.

Caracas Empanadas Y Mas

Instagram: @caracasempanadas

Facebook: @caracasempanadas

Caracas Empanadas is a Madison favorite rooted in Venezuelan tradition. Founded in 2010 by Luis de Dompablo, the business brings the flavors of his childhood to Wisconsin through hand-made empanadas and arepas based on his mother Rosa’s recipes. Each crispy empanada and gluten-free arepa is filled with choice-cut, locally sourced meats and fresh ingredients, slow-stewed in traditional seasonings and finished with house-made sauces like spicy Pique and herbaceous Guasacaca. The business has earned a loyal following over the past decade at local markets, major festivals, and special events throughout the region. Owner: Carlos Aguilar and Luis Aguilar

Caracas Empanadas Y Más joins nine previously announced businesses in the inaugural cohort:

Caracas Empanadas es un favorito de Madison con profundas raíces en la tradición venezolana. Fundado en 2010 por Luis de Dompablo, el negocio lleva los sabores de su infancia a Wisconsin a través de empanadas y arepas hechas a mano, basadas en las recetas de su madre, Rosa. Cada empanada crujiente y arepa sin gluten se rellena con carnes de primera calidad, de origen local, e ingredientes frescos, guisados lentamente con sazones tradicionales y acompañados de salsas caseras como el Pique picante y la Guasacaca herbácea. A lo largo de la última década, el negocio ha construido una fiel clientela en mercados locales, grandes festivales y eventos especiales en toda la región. Propietario: Carlos Aguilar y Luis Aguilar

Caracas Empanadas y Más se suma a nueve negocios anunciados previamente en la cohorte inaugural:

New Merchant Announcement: Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream

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The Madison Public Market is excited to announce another new business opening in the Market in 2026.

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream| www.chocolateshoppeicecream.com

Family-owned and Madison-made since the first scoop in 1962, Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream creates award-winning ice cream using local ingredients like Sassy Cow milk from nearby family farms. Rooted in the neighborhoods they serve, they’re proud to be a true part of the Madison community — built on joy, connection, and big flavors that bring people together.

Owner: Deadman Family

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream joins Eight previously announced businesses in the inaugural cohort:

  • Melly Mell’s – mellymells.com
  • Cinn City Smash – cinncitysmash.com
  • Cervato – cervatowine.com
  • Unique Hair Accessories & More, LLC – uniquehairaccessories.com
  • Artworking – www.artworking.org
  • Ancestral Tribe Custom Apparel
  • Love U Madison
  • The Chowpati

For more information regarding the merchant application and selection process, visit our website’s merchant section. A comprehensive FAQ section addresses anticipated Market hours of operation (subject to change), leases and rental costs, space details and buildout, lease terms, Market performance and projections, and more.

Steve Sisson Joins the Madison Public Market Team

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The Madison Public Market is excited to welcome Steve Sisson as the inaugural Executive Assistant of the Madison Public Market Foundation, who began his role on January 5, 2026.

Raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Steve has been proud to call Madison home since he moved here in 2016. He has provided administrative assistance in large organizations like Scouting America and the University of Wisconsin – Madison, as well as local community theater and small businesses. He is ecstatic to be joining the team that will be opening the Madison Public Market, providing a space for the Madison community to enjoy and support local businesses.

When not at work, you can find Steve doing yoga, in a theater audience, making stained glass with his husband, or running around with his 3 dogs.

Madison Public Market Foundation Announces the Hiring of New CEO

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The Board of Directors of the Madison Public Market Foundation (MPMF) is pleased to announce that Keisha N. Harrison has been selected to serve as the Market’s first Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In this role, Harrison will have responsibility for shepherding the final phases of the facility construction, lead the tenant build-out phase, and establish the Madison Public Market as the premier regional market location. She will provide strategic, operational, and financial leadership while fulfilling the mission and vision of the MPMF and the Market – to create a vibrant, year-round public marketplace where entrepreneurs and businesses owned and operated by women, first generation immigrants and people of color can get their start.

Harrison leaves her role serving as the Executive Director of the Indianapolis City Market Corporation. She led activities related to the operation and restoration of the historic city market. Duties included implementation of policies and procedures, vendor leasing operations, stakeholder collaboration, budget development and monitoring, strategic planning and organizing special events. Harrison worked to improve food access for the community with responsibility for a weekly farmers’ market operating alongside the City Market. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English at Dartmouth College and her Master of Science degree in Library and Information Science at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

“I’m thrilled to join the vibrant community of Madison as CEO of the Madison Public Market Foundation. Together, we will create a dynamic and inclusive space that celebrates local food and entrepreneurship, and brings fresh opportunities to our city,” Harrison said.

Karen Crossley, President of the Madison Public Market Foundation, is pleased that this important element of the long-awaited project has come to fruition. “On behalf of the Madison Public Market Foundation that will serve as the Market’s operator, the City of Madison and the community at large, we are beyond thrilled to introduce Keisha Harrison as the Madison Public Market’s first Chief Executive Officer. Keisha brings abundant skills and talents to this position, and is enthusiastically and fully committed to bringing our shared community vision for the Market to life.”

The Madison Public Market Foundation (MPMF), a 501(c)3 organization, has been working closely with the City of Madison, community leaders and engaged local citizens for nearly two decades to build a Public Market. The Madison Public Market promises to be an inclusive, lively marketplace highlighting much of what makes the Madison community so special: locally grown and prepared delicious food, refreshing beverages and handcrafted artwork, jewelry, wearables, and collectibles. The Market will be a vibrant, year-round public marketplace where new entrepreneurs and long-established Madison favorites grow their businesses and achieve success.

The Market’s TruStage MarketReady Hall will house a food -oriented entrepreneurship and business center that will support small business owners who wish to grow, scale, and create food-related products. TruStage MarketReady Hall entrepreneurs will be offered shared, affordable access to commercial food production equipment and infrastructure that are often beyond the reach of typical low-capital start-ups.

The City of Madison is currently repurposing the former Fleet Service Building at the high-traffic corner of First and East Johnson Streets along the bustling East Washington corridor in downtown Madison. Following national best practices among the nation’s large public markets, the city will maintain ownership of the building while the MPMF will oversee the daily operation of the Market.

The former Fleet Services Building, located at 200 N. First Street dates back to the 1950s. It boasts a large open space with 45,000 square feet to house up to 30 permanent vendors, 100+ seasonal/temporary vendors annually, areas to host public/private events, a commercial kitchen, and large garage doors to welcome an open-air breeze during warmer months. Situated on 3.5 acres, the site will accommodate outdoor seating, live entertainment, food carts, and parking. To date, more than 230 applicants have expressed interest in vending within the Market.

MPMF is under the direction of a committed 16-member Board of Directors and is expected to have an initial operating budget of just over $1MM. The CEO position is MPMF’s first hire, the initial step in building a talented and dedicated team to carry out the mission and strategy of the organization. The Market is projected to attract 500,000+ visitors each year, support 130+ local businesses, create 100 jobs, and generate $16 million in local sales annually. The renovation was initiated in December of 2023 and the Market is currently scheduled to open in late Spring 2025.

Harrison will begin her position as CEO in mid-July. The Madison Public Market Foundation will notify the press and the community when she will be available for interviews after her start date. In the interim, Karen Crossley, President of the Madison Public Market, is available for interviews.

Hiring announcement! Executive Director recruitment now underway!

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Lead this incredible organization!
The Madison Public Market Foundation (MPMF) is hiring an Executive Director to help support the finish of the facility construction phase of the
project, lead the tenant build-out phase, and establish the Madison Public Market as a premier market location in Madison and the surrounding areas once the market doors open. The Executive Director will provide strategic, operational, and financial leadership while fulfilling the mission and vision of the MPMF and the Market. The Executive Director is responsible for building a new team of leaders to carry out the Market’s Business Plan in pursuit of fulfilling MPMF’s vison of equity through entrepreneurship, striving to ensure the Market meets the evolving needs of merchants, customers, and the community.

The Opportunity
The projected first-year accomplishments for the new Executive Director include:

• Establish relationships with the Board of Directors, future merchants, city government, and local
stakeholders through authentic interactions and building trust through consistent and meaningful
communication.
• Aide in developing policies and procedures.
• Coordinate last-mile steps to open the Market.
• Hire staff.
• Oversee the Grand Opening and running of the Market, once open.
• Create and nurture a welcoming, inclusive Market culture where everyone feels they belong.

As the inaugural Executive Director, you will have a unique and exciting opportunity to set the stage for the Market’s future. The Madison Public Market is nearly 20 years in the making and there is both high excitement and high expectation from Madison and the areas surrounding the Market. With community and City of Madison support, the Market can serve as an anchor for economic development, which will generate the opportunity to best serve all residents of Madison, Dane County, and the region. While some of the foundation and framework has been put in place, the Executive Director will have the opportunity to significantly contribute to the crafting and execution of the vision for the Market as it opens and moves forward.

Application Process
For more information, please see the full job description.

MPMF and WAVERLY PARTNERS firmly support the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability. Interested candidates should send a resume to Waverly Partners at the address shown below or by contacting directly either consultant. MPMF@Waverly-Partners.com

Heidi G. Milosovic
Managing Director & Principal
WAVERLY PARTNERS
O: 440.355.6629; C: 216.387.0832
HMilosovic@Waverly-Partners.com

Sara B. Cikalo
Managing Director
WAVERLY PARTNERS
O: 440.933.0096; C: 440.821.4437
SCikalo@Waverly-Partners.com

Madison Public Market Foundation, TruStage and supporters celebrate Equity Through Entrepreneurship, highlighting the first MPM Vendors

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Media Release | February 20, 2024

Madison, WI — The Madison Public Market Foundation and TruStage hosted a special gathering on February 20, 5-7 p.m. at TruStage (5910 Mineral Point Road) to bring Public Market donors, volunteers, diverse vendors, local officials, and other supporters together in celebration of the Madison Public Market moving forward to a Spring 2025 opening. The first four confirmed vendors of the Public Market will provide a variety of multicultural fare and talk about their businesses with attendees. This is the first time the Madison Public Market Foundation has hosted a large gathering to highlight the initial confirmed vendors and experience the equity and cultural connection that the Public Market will offer.

“For two decades, thousands of people from across Madison have played an important role in shaping the vision and actively supporting the development of the Public Market. The Madison Public Market Foundation is grateful for the continued community commitment to the project, and we appreciate our partner TruStage for helping us make the Market a reality,” said Karen Crossley, Madison Public Market Foundation Board President.

TruStage, the Madison Public Market Foundation’s largest private donor, graciously agreed to host and sponsor the celebration. TruStage provided a foundational gift to support the creation of TruStage MarketReady Hall inside the Madison Public Market. The vision for TruStage MarketReady Hall is to reduce barriers to entrepreneurship through shared food production space and a community event hall. TruStage MarketReady Hall will provide affordable access to commercial food-processing equipment and culturally-relevant entrepreneurial trainings, where diverse entrepreneurs can grow their products.

“At TruStage we are committed to making a brighter financial future accessible to everyone,” said TruStage President and CEO, Terrance Williams. “Many entrepreneurs dream of scaling up their business but face insurmountable barriers when dealing with the high cost to access commercial kitchen facilities. The TruStage MarketReady Hall will help remove that barrier to entry and could help diverse founders who access the hall begin the journey of building generational wealth.”

The Madison Public Market Foundation will make two exciting announcements at 5:40pm. First, the Foundation will announce the hiring process for the Madison Public Market’s first Executive Director. This key position will lead the Madison Public Market to a successful opening and beyond. More information can be found at madisonpublicmarket.org.

Second, the Madison Public Market will unveil its new Equity Through Entrepreneurship Program to support new and early-stage diverse entrepreneurs who wish to be a permanent or temporary vendor within the Public Market. Learning from the highly successful MarketReady entrepreneurial training pilot program, the Equity Through Entrepreneurship Program will reduce barriers to entrepreneurship that underrepresented small businesses may face. Key components of the program include:

  • Invest in vendor selection in diverse communities 1) purchase paid advertisements in diverse and multicultural media 2) continue partnerships with diverse chamber of commerce organizations and other community partners
  • Decrease financial barriers 1) offer grants to provide rent subsidy during the first 12 months 2) offer grants to assist with build-out costs 3) establish a revolving loan fund
  • Connect entrepreneurs with resources 1) offer culturally relevant trainings and mentorship 2) provide translating services 3) create key operating technology systems within the Market that are easily accessible and support all vendors

By launching the Equity Through Entrepreneurship Program and concentrating on the success of small diverse businesses, more entrepreneurs will build their financial futures, and the variety of businesses, offerings, and price points within the Madison Public Market will enable people from all backgrounds and cultures to feel welcome, represented, and that they belong. To implement the Equity Through Entrepreneurship Program, the Madison Public Market must raise $1,000,000 by the end of 2024. Already $425,000 has been raised towards the goal.

You’re invited to the Ready! Set! Market! Open House on Sept. 12!

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The Madison Public Market Foundation will host a Ready! Set! Market! event to offer a taste of what the Madison Public Market will be!

This open house will feature a mix of local vendors, including exciting newer businesses and a few of Madison’s long-time favorites. The event will take place at the future home of the Madison Public Market and TruStage MarketReady Hall (200 N. First Street) in what was formerly the retro-style Fleet Services Building.

Vendors will have available culinary offerings inspired by a variety of cultures, in addition to unique handmade goods. Please join leaders of the Madison Public Market Foundation, City of Madison, and diverse vendors for a celebration of entrepreneurship, equity, and community.

Ready! Set! Market! Open House
Tuesday, Sept. 12
5 – 8pm
Future home of the Madison Public Market and TruStage MarketReady Hall (200 N. First St. at E. Johnson & N. First)

Parking is available in the back of the building, in the nearby The Standard Madison apartment building, or on neighborhood streets.

This will be the only public event held at the Market’s future home before ground-breaking later this year! A big thank you to our friends at Chocolate Shoppe, who will be giving away free scoops of ice cream!

RSVP is appreciated but not mandatory – it will help get you through event check-in much more quickly.

RSVP HERE TODAY

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We’re looking for volunteers to help with sign-in of guests, pre-event setup, trash collection, greeters, traffic control, and a few other areas. It’s a fun way to meet other Market enthusiasts and show your support. If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity for the Madison Public Market, sign up now!

 

Sneak peak at some of the 20+ vendors who are scheduled to attend:

Auntie M’s Creations LLC
East Side Cakes
Madame Chu’s Delicacies
Forward Craft & Coffee
Creative Vixen Design
JNJ Gifts and More
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream
Wonder Cookie
Melly Mel’s Soul Food
Marieke Gouda-House of Gouda
Blain Arts
Love U Candle
Blue Violet Jams & Jellies
Newday Eastside Juicery
Kerol’s Kitchen
V Greenery
QB’s Magnetic Creations
Les Delices De Awa
Midwest Mujeres
Tortillas Los Angeles
Clean Fresh Food
Moses Sista

 

Entertainment will include:

Eric De Los Santos 5-6pm (xylophone & marimba)
– Carisacat 6-7pm (singer songwriter)
– Wendy O’Lynn 7-8pm (fiddler)

Check out these local gift-giving ideas

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Now more than ever, it’s important to buy local for the holidays. Plus, there are so many interesting and unique gift options right here in Madison. So, the Madison Public Market is highlighting a few of our MarketReady merchants and other opportunities in the community to buy local and support our one-of-a-kind small businesses.

Perfect Imperfections
Jasmine Bank’s luxurious natural body care products are made with love from the ingredients to the beautiful packaging. These little treasures make lovely gifts. During the holiday’s, Perfect Imperfections is featuring:

Hand Poured Soy Wax Candles:
Bergamot Black Tea, Candy Cane, Cedar and Amber, Kentucky Bourbon, Pumpkin and Brown Sugar, Sugar Plum Fairy, Vanilla Bean, Warm Flannel

Whipped Body Butter: Gentle enough for baby and useful for all ages, this ultra-healing blend nourishes dry skin and soothes uncomfortable skin conditions.

Brown Sugar Scrub: Pamper yourself with this decadent brown sugar body scrub! Use in the shower all over and feel instantly moisturized! Leave your skin feeling smooth, smelling divine and amazingly moisturized.

These items plus several more can be purchased from Perfect Imperfections’ website site: https://perfectimperfections608.org/

Off The Block Pizza and Salsa
Not only is Off The Block pizza and salsa DELICIOUS, it’s also food with an important mission. Every purchase supports Mentoring Positives’ work helping kids and families in the Darbo-Worthington Neighborhood. Mentoring Positives’ youth engage in social, emotional, and business mentorship – the kids participate in every aspect of the Off The Block business, learning valuable entrepreneurial and life skills.

For delivery to your doorstep visit:
www.christines-kitchens.com

For pick-up at FEED Kitchens visit:
www.offtheblock.store

Madame Chu Delicacies
If you’ve ever had Madame Chu’s Southeast Asian cuisine at a local fair or festival, you know how incredible her handmade sauces are. Josey Chu uses recipes passed down through generations in her family and then incorporates only the most traditional and all natural ingredients.

Madame Chu’s is offering a special holiday treat: For every purchase of Madame Chu’s sauce, you’ll receive a small samples of cookies representing Southeast Asia flavors

Madame Chu Delicacies features:
Sambal Nyonya – a deep red chili paste that carries a unique and assertive heat. It is cooked slowly using traditional methods which add a unique caramelized and earthy flavor to the heat of the peppers.

Satay Peanut Nyonya – a dense paste that strikes a balance between the heat of the peppers and the richness of peanuts. A total of 14 ingredients come together offering a sweet, hot and sophisticated flavor.

Ginger Garlic – a light and flavorful punch of ginger and a gentle hint of the aromatic garlic. The ginger garlic stands on its own or when pureed with other herbs makes a great new condiments.

Madame Chu’s Cookie Treasure Box – each box comes with different cookies that are local favorites from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Some of the cookies are mincemeat pie filled with raisins, figs, apples and many more goodness that are infused with brandy. Pineapple filled pastry ball, Linzer cookies, Peanut Cookies, Palm Sugar Cookies etc.

Order online: www.madamechu.com or through FEED Kitchen Bazaar

Madre Yerba
Madre Yerba (or mother herb) is a collective promoting organic, local healing products for the hair, skin, scalp, and nails. The mission is to open the mind about health and the impact we make on our environment. Starting small with the community first, spreading world history improving the knowledge of the youth! This holiday season, Madre Yerba has unique fabrics for face masks and lightweight earrings as well as plant based vegan and non vegan body lotions and oils. Don’t miss out on these unique, handcrafted delights!

Oder online: www.etsy.com/shop/MadreYerba

Ugly Apple Cafe
The mission of Ugly Apple is to work with local farmers, minimize waste by using their overstock produce, and help Madison’s less fortunate get fed all while creating tasty treats and breakfast all day through the Ugly Apple food cart. Keep watching our website or FB page for a winter donut pop-up – Apple cider donuts, buttermilk donuts and Paczki!

Ugly Apply is currently featuring:

Cranberry Quince Jam – 12oz for $11 or 9oz for $8. Quince are a unique relative to the apple and pear and with cranberries and spices this jam tastes like the holidays!
Aronia Berry Apple Sauce – 12oz for $8. Aronia berries grow locally and they are the best things for you! Tons of antioxidants and mixed with apples they have a tart tanginess that is great with ham, turkey, mixed into yogurt or on it’s own!

Online orders: email uglyapplecafe@gmail.com with your order or find us on christines-kitchens.com There is no waiting for jars or fruit leather, special orders may take 48 hours.

Wisconsin Mujer
Wisconsin Mujer, a multimedia social engagement company, is owned by founder Araceli Esparza. Araceli’s expertise in building bridges in the community are the same principles she uses for helping business entrepreneurs gain clarity in getting new clients. Wisconsin Mujer is currently offering a free consultation for your brand, product or service. Outreach/marketing/branding packages are customized, but typically include 10 social media posts, a business card and specific branding consulting. Email midwestmujeres@gmail.com. In the subject line write, “MarketReady Promo”

People can join Wisconsin Mujer’s newsletter and find free Instagram Tips: https://mailchi.mp/a0bc54983fbe/my-top-3-instagram-tips

Ember Foods

Ember Foods is owned and operated by Yakub Kazi and Nausheen Qureishi. Yakub and Nausheen have lived and traveled around the world and they have curated their menu to serve some of the most unique and exciting cuisine they have found. Combining flavors of India, Australia, Indonesia, America, and the Middle East, Ember has food to please all tastes. Ember is often a crowd favorite at our Taste of the Public Market events.

Ember is currently featuring:

Punjabi Vegetable Samosas with Chutney

Flavorful vegetarian samosas come with yogurt chutney

Order online at www.christines-kitchens.com or email kaziyakub@yahoo.com.au

QB’s Magnetic Creations

QB’s Magnetic Creations makes Magnetic Jewelry that showcases your personality and distinctive taste. Feel magnetized with Magnetic Face Mask Bling, Badge & Eyeglass Holders, Brooches, and Jewelry Strings. They hold securely in place and adhere without damage to your clothes. Solving your problem beautifully – magnetically! Wear these beauties to your Zoom holiday gathering!

Special Holiday Discount 20% Off Use Code: HOLIDAY20

Purchase online: at www.QBsid.com

 

Caracas Empanadas y Mas

If you’ve never had an empanada, then you don’t know what you’re missing! For the past ten years, Caracas Empanadas has gained a reputation as one of Madison’s most popular food carts. Luis named the cart after the city he grew up in, making Caracas Empanadas Madison’s first Venezuelan food cart. Through the MarketReady program, Luis has grown his business and expanded his product line to now include Arepas. Luis looks forward to accelerating his business by having a counter/restaurant in the Madison Public Market and bringing more delicious flavors of Latin America to the greater Madison community.

Empanadas and Arepas can be purchased frozen along with our bottled guasacaca sauce at https://www.christines-kitchens.com/

FEED Holiday Bazaar

FEED Kitchens’ annual Holiday Bazaar has gone virtual! Visit our store and order items from over 20 wonderful local food businesses operating out of FEED Kitchens. (Including serveral MarketReady merchants!) Items appropriate for your holiday table and for gift giving. Support your local entrepreneurs and help keep them in business!
The store will remain open until Dec. 13. Items will be available for curbside pickup beginning Thursday, December 17. For more information visit the store or the event Facebook page.
From curated specialty boxes (Bloody Mary Box? Yes, please!) to a variety of food and beautiful handcrafted goods, Christine’s Kitchens offers a vast selection of unique items from over 60 local merchants. (Including several MarketReady merchants!) Items can be delivered, picked-up curbside, or shipped outside of the Madison area. Christine’s makes buying local fun and easy!

Order Online: www.christines-kitchens.com

First 5 Public Market vendors unveiled!

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After 15+ years of community feedback, planning, and preparing, the Madison Public Market Foundation in partnership with the City of Madison, has made significant progress in making our Public Market a reality. With the architectural design plan complete, $3M raised in philanthropic funds, the site at the City’s Fleet Building secured, and the recent Mayor’s budget that maintains the $7M needed for the project, the Madison Public Market project moves into the next phase towards completion.

Recently, another significant milestone for the Madison Public Market project was accomplished. MarketReady, the project’s flagship program, completed its first phase with resounding results. Launched in 2017, the MarketReady program was created for two important reasons:
1) to ensure that the Madison Public Market is truly diverse and welcoming to all people and;
2) to build equity in our community through supporting entrepreneurial opportunities within communities of color. Of the 30 entrepreneurs who have participated in this program, 83% are people of color, 62% are women and 33% are first generation immigrants.

Mike Miller, City of Madison Business Resources, oversaw the MarketReady program. “MarketReady was designed as an entrepreneurial training program, connecting entrepreneurs with resources that can help them pursue their dream of owning their own business.” The City of Madison funded the administration of MarketReady through the Northside Planning Council.

The program was designed for entrepreneurs who either had a small existing business (food carts, catering, etc.) or had a strong idea for starting a business. MarketReady provided connections to resources, coaching, and business mentors with the goal of preparing many of these business owners for a successful launch in the Public Market.

Over the last three years, these 30 business owners have sold their first products, invested in equipment, designed logos and websites, launched brick and mortar locations, and expanded product lines. Collectively, participants added 15 jobs over the course of the program, paying these employees a median rate of $12 per hour. Perhaps most importantly, these entrepreneurs built relationships with one another and with partner organizations that will continue to support their business development in the months and years to come.

At the completion of the program, 18 participants submitted detailed business plans for how they would like to operate in the Public Market. A group of community leaders, including representatives from the Black and Latino chambers of commerce, the Madison Public Market Foundation and the City of Madison’s Public Market Development Committee, evaluated these plans and selected 5 participants to receive $19,000 each to support their successful operation in the Public Market.

Today, the Madison Public Market Foundation announces the recipients of the grants and welcomes these entrepreneurs as our first official vendors of the Madison Public Market. Congratulations to Caracas Empanadas y Más, Little Tibet, Melly Mell’s, Perfect Imperfection, and El Sabor de Puebla. (Learn more about these vendors below).

Through MarketReady, the Public Market will be an important incubator for starting and accelerating businesses, with a strong focus on minority-owned enterprises, who are too often left out of the start-up conversation.

“The success of MarketReady has exceeded our expectations and is playing a key role in ensuring that our Public Market is diverse. More importantly, MarketReady and the Public Market address the serious equity challenges we face in Madison by supporting and promoting entrepreneurship among communities of color and women,” said Jamaal Stricklin, Madison Public Market Foundation Board Chair.

Stricklin shared that the Madison Public Market will continue the next phase of the Public Market by providing coaching and mentorship support to the MarketReady vendors and other diverse entrepreneurs who launch in the Market when the doors open in 2022. Additionally, the Madison Public Market Foundation will identify a new cohort of multicultural entrepreneurs to begin the MarketReady program.

“The Public Market is meant to be a business incubator that serves as a steppingstone in the journey of entrepreneurship. While some businesses will become beloved, permanent merchants at the Market, many others will accelerate out of the Market as their businesses grow and prosper. The ongoing MarketReady program will ensure that there are always new, multicultural entrepreneurs ready to launch and grow in the Market,” explains Stricklin.

For the remaining MarketReady participants who were not announced today and for other entrepreneurs hoping to call the Madison Public Market home, there will be plenty of upcoming opportunities to participate in the Public Market. Next year, the Madison Public Market Foundation will begin the Market’s vendor selection process to select the 25 additional permanent vendors for the Market. Once the Market is open, there will be opportunities for daily, weekly, and monthly temporary vendors, likely offering vending opportunities to 100+ entrepreneurs every year. For visitors this means that there will be new, unique treasures to find at the Market during every season.

Along with start-up organizations, the Public Market will also feature two to four anchor restaurants/cafes/brew pubs that will be long-time established businesses to provide financial stability to the overall Market business plan. Currently, over 200 businesses, large and small, mature and start-up, have submitted formal interest in having a space in the Market.

With 500,000 visitors annually and delicious, unique cuisine and handmade artisan crafts that will reflect the culture and best of our community, the Madison Public Market will soon be a treasured destination for Madisonians and tourists alike. The City of Madison will break ground next year, with Madison’s first public market opening in late 2022.

 

First five Madison Public Market vendors (all MarketReady participants):

Little Tibet

Little Tibet is an original, family-owned restaurant offering authentic homemade Tibetan and Himalayan tribal cuisine! With two food carts and a restaurant in the Tenney Lapham neighborhood, Little Tibet is a gathering spot for east side neighbors, our local Tibetan and Himalayan region community, and a destination for tourists and locals where they share information on Tibetan food, culture, religion, and life. When the Madison Public Market opens in 2022, we hope to expand our business and open a second location in the Market, adding more jobs as well. The menu will feature traditional Tibetan and Himalayan food with quality ingredients sourced locally.

Perfect Imperfections

Jasmine Banks, CEO of Perfect Imperfections, is a 5th generation Madisonian and she still lives in the home she was born and raised in. Perfect Imperfections is Jasmine’s natural handcrafted body care line that uses quality and local sourced ingredients. She empowers women to appreciate life daily and care for themselves with safe, chemical-free body products. Prior to the Madison Public Market, Jasmine’s dream for her business never included having a brick and mortar because it didn’t seem attainable.  Being a part of the Market Ready program has shown her that with the right people, resources, training and determination that anything is possible… and that includes having a space inside of the Madison Public Market.

Caracas Empanadas y Más

If you’ve never had an empanada, then you don’t know what you’re missing. Empanadas are a staple food in many Latin American countries including Venezuela. In 2010 Luis Dompablo opened his first food cart Caracas Empanadas, featuring some of the very same recipes his mother prepared for him as a young boy. For the past ten years, Caracas Empanadas has gained a reputation as one of Madison’s most popular food carts. Luis named the cart after the city he grew up in, making Caracas Empanadas Madison’s first Venezuelan food cart. Through the MarketReady program, Luis has grown his business and expanded his product line to now include arepas. Luis looks forward to accelerating his business by having a counter/restaurant in the Madison Public Market and bringing more delicious flavors of Latin America to the greater Madison community.

Melly Mell’s

Carmell Jackson, owner of Melly Mell’s makes healthy home cooked food with a southern flair from recipes passed down through generations. “Feeding you fills my heart. I also offer healthy options to keep your heart and body healthy!”

Carmell is a successful caterer with her soul food being in high demand at events and celebrations across the Madison region. Carmell envisions Melly Mell’s being an integral part of the Public Market, bringing warmth, big smiles, and laughter that resonates throughout.  Her soul food will be available to eat at the Public Market or take home to “heat and eat.”

The MarketReady program gave Carmell a new start. She shares that the program helped her in so many ways to build her business and help make it the best that it can be. Carmell plans to use her Market business as an opportunity to train youth and inspire other children of color to become entrepreneurs. Carmell believes the Market will give small business a place to thrive.

El Sabor de Puebla

For several years, Reyna Gonzalez Torres and Waldo Olguin, a wife and husband team, have successfully owned a tamale production business that distributes their incredible tamales to grocery stores and eateries across Madison, in addition to owning and operating a restaurant on Madison’s near east side.

At the Madison Public Market, Reyna and Waldo will develop a Puebla style cocina (kitchen) and juice/ smoothie bar.  The business will be called: Antojitos, and it will be connected with El Sabor de Puebla, their successful restaurant. If you’ve ever had the Torres-Olguin family Mexican cuisine, you know that it will soon become a favorite at the Public Market. All products will be made from natural and organic ingredients when possible.