Market gives vendors a place to call home in winter

Port Washington’s Winter Market — one of the only opportunities for vendors  to sell their produce, crafts and goods in Ozaukee County during off-season months — has hit a running start at its new home in the recently opened Inventors Brewpub Edison Hall, event organizer Jennifer Sapiro said last week.

The new venue is perfectly suited for the market, Sapiro said. The hall’s wide windows facing Port’s marina let light pour into the space that can accommodate more vendors than ever before.

“It’s so bright with the natural light and there’s the beautiful views of the lake,” she said. “Also, we can give the vendors a lot more space.”

Sapiro said the two November markets were well attended.

“We really started with a bang. I think people are excited to come and see the new space,” she said, adding the second event had more customers than the first, a trend she hopes will continue.

The market helps fill out the schedules of vendors who are otherwise out of luck during the winter.

“A lot are so glad to be here because when the summer markets shut down, they have nowhere to sell,” she said, noting the nearest winter markets are in Sheboygan and Milwaukee.

Kayla Beegle-Storck of Kayla’s Blacksmith, who sells forged necklaces, rings, bottle openers and other utensils and tools at the market, said the winter market also brings customers to Port.

“It’s a draw for people to come to Port during the winter,” she said, noting the new centrally located and inviting venue makes the market a destination.

“It’s nice that even when it’s cold out, the sun can be shining through the windows.”

Beegle-Storck said she doesn’t sell at summer markets anymore. Instead, she does blacksmithing demonstrations for events at places like Pioneer Village and Richfield Park.

That makes setting up her booth at the market a relaxing experience, Beegle-Storck said. She only needs to bring her goods since the tables are all set up to go in the morning.

“It’s great for me because I get burned out during the summer,” she said.

Sapiro said the market was previously at the Van Ells-Schanen American Legion Post 82 hall which was in the same building as Inventors’ previous location. That hall, like the new venue, was nicely located near downtown Port but was cramped.

The hall could fit 15 or 16 vendors — 18 “if we really squished,” she said, while the new venue can fit 24 or more with plenty of space for each.

So far, she’s had violin and guitar band Green Sails and guitar soloist Alex Paniagua play during the markets.

“It’s been the perfect background music,” she said. “I think it adds a lot to the experience.”

Sapiro said there is a mix of vendors: Van Erkel Farm has eggs and meat, Fuzzy Butts Bakery has homemade dog treats and Swiss Frau Farm Products has goat milk products such as soap, lotion and meat, along with many other local artists, craft makers and farmers.

“We are really focused on keeping it local,” she said.

Sapiro said the goal of the market is to promote small businesses.

“It costs a lot to have a brick-and-mortar shop or have people come out to your farm,” she said.

Sapiro invited local nonprofits to set up booths this year, including Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ozaukee County, the Judge Eghart House foundation and Ozaukee Food Alliance.

“We want to support them and help them get the word out to the community,” she said.

Edison Hall. a 3,750-square-foot space, opened in April as part of the two-story Inventors Brewpub building that contains the 9,000-square-foot brewery and restaurant and 9,000 square feet of office space.

The market will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on the first and third Saturdays of each month from November through May.