The public market, like all those around the world, exists for you - the independent vendor!
Main Street StationPublic Market is an award-winning, historic year-round mixed-retail / covered market / public space, located on Main Street in downtown Viroqua, WI. Viroqua is the heart of the alluring Coulee Region of Southwest Wisconsin. The building is anchored by seven fixed retail locations, three with Main Street storefronts, and four within the market hall in ~500 sq. ft. "suites".
The 6,500 square foot market hall has been tastefully designed to resemble an old-world town square. It is mapped out in a efficient circular pattern of forty-five vendor spaces.
One of our chief goals is to provide small-scale merchants an affordable, no-hassle instant retail space within the public market. NOW ON SALE:most spaces just $6 all day![certain fees, for advertising, promotion, etc may apply for special events.] With some limitations, the market is open to anyone with something to sell. Please see full official market ruleshere. These are some of the principles were are guided by - click here to view .
You could actually go to the market right now, ask the manager what space is open, set-up and start selling instantly (you can even pay at the end of your day)! Vendors may come once, irregularly or
even rent their space indefinitely! The space becomes their own market storefront until they opt out. Monthly rates start at $99 per month. Click here for the market's goals.
Days / Times of Operation
The market is open Tuesday through Saturday (some of the retail locations are open on Monday).
Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm,
Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. and
Sunday Noon - 4pm.
Bellisimo Cafe is open most evenings, vendors may stay after 5pm if they like, free of charge. Also, The market frequently has special events on the weekends, such as concerts and receptions, and vendors are encouraged to stay into the evening if the event is harmonious with their products (this is completely up to the vendor to decide, and no additional space fees apply).
Vendor Space Information
Our vendors spaces are in two general sizes. The smaller spaces around the fountain are 7 ft. by 5 ft. In outer ring of spaces they are 8 ft. by 7 ft. There is also space in the alleyway into the market, and a few other miscellaneous spaces. We have a limited number of tables/carts available for a nominal fee. In addition we have a few market structures that may be rented. These are essentially skeletons of small stores (8 ft. x 7 ft.), which the vendor may encapsulate and decorate to their needs. Here is a picture of one and another.
Vendors are encouraged to make their spaces as attractive and unique as possible. There are power, phone and/or high-speed internet connection in many of the spaces, available for modest charges.
Consignment options
Vendors also have the simplified option of consignment-style retail. We assign an available space within a case, shelf-unit etc. These are typically approximately 9 feet of shelving, with locks, lighting. You fill the display with inventory (leaving us an inventory record). The market host then sells your goods, collects sales tax, maintains your display. You have to do little more than bring in your items and cash your monthly checks!
PRICING of consignment: as an introductory offer - just $5 per month plus 25% commission.
Vendors may sign-up on our on-line space reservation system. Using this system, a vendor may reserve space in that market, months in advance! The space/days you have reserved are then reflected in the general customer map. Customers, in turn, can now view all the vendors present and any given day! Here is the customer map. Click here to sign up and reserve your space.
You may also download an application from here. Email or mail back to us.
A work in progress...
Sunday afternoons we lift all but the most basic rules
You can sell just about anything!! Just $6/day
[obviously dangerous, offensive and other such items are always prohibited]
Sort of a flea market, swap meet, rummage sale - all wrapped into one
Got junk? Bring it in... Got old CDs? Bring 'em in!
Got unruley inlaws? well, ...see what they got to sell!
We advertise in a variety of media, attempting to find the best value in vendor and customer marketing
TV: We produce our own unique television commercials (one of our team members is a film director)
.
These commercials have aired on local cable TV, targeted to pertinent groups -- stations like HGTV in the morning, Lifetime, and CNN and the History Channel, with an approximate 60,000 view reach.
It is one of the most visited craft-related sites in the world!
Check out Main Street Station listings [event ID: 1006178].
Please provide positive feedback of our events, if you are able.
Vendor Working-Vacation-Retreat Concept
We are in the planning stages of promoting a working-vacation for vendors. The general idea is, vendors would come and stay in the Heritage Inn B&B, which is right across from the public market. They would vend, say on a Saturday., with the goal of netting enough to pay for the weekend and make a net profit to boot! Then, for the next day or so, you spend time relaxing, connecting with locals, and exploring the mystifying Coulee Region. By encouraging a flow of new traveling vendors (in addition to our regulars), we keep the market fresh, dynamic and diverse! Customers will be draw to the market even more, and hence, more vendors will come, and a positive cycle is thus created.
Adjacent to the market we own a cute, cottage style home, that we may convert to a visitor/vendor guesthouse in the future. The property has three bedrooms, and could sleep up to eight guests. There is a fireplace, modern kitchen, two outdoor living spaces, grill, and (soon) an outdoor hot tub!
Please email us if this idea appeals to you, or if you have a suggestion.
About the Driftless Region
The market is located in Viroqua, WI, population 4500, which is the county seat of Vernon County. Viroqua sits in the beautiful unglaciated part of Wisconsin, in the southwest part of the state. It is 30 minutes SE of La Crosse, approximately 3.5 hours from Milwaukee and the Twin Cities, 4 hours from NW Chicagoland; just 20 minutes to the Mississippi River.
The area is one of the only parts of America consistently missed by advancing glaciers over the millennia. This has preserved the interesting topography of the region. The famous bluffs, coulees and small winding streams are mesmerizing, and tend to capture the soul. The Kickapoo Native Americans were first captivated in the 1600s, seeking refuge from other warring tribes. The spirit that drew them here, still remains.
The old, black soil has supported decades of farming, and has been particularly suited to organic farming. The surrounding area has become one of the most successful organic farming regions in the entire world! In fact Organic Valley / CROPP organic farming coop, located 20 minutes from Viroqua, has grown into a multi-million dollar international company!
Viroqua is a proud member of the coveted Main Street Program. Most of the downtown is part of a National Register of Historic Places Downtown Historic District, including the Public Market! The downtown and city in general are undergoing a Renaissance. Buildings like the market are being restored or rehabbed. Life in the city center has sprung forth again! Viroqua is very proud of the multi-million dollar restoration of the vaudeville era Temple Theater, which sits just down the block from the market. Viroqua also has a thriving farmers market, which is across the street from Main Street Station, and has a friendly, synergistic relationship with the market.
The people of the Viroqua area ultimately are it's greatest assets. Generations of families have loved the Coulee Region, the land and humanity. People here are strong, warm, and genuine. The families several generations deep in the area have been complimented by a large group of new-comers. Viroqua is seeing several entire families each year move into the area, many because of a very special school. Pleasant Ridge Waldorf elementary and the Youth Initiative High School offer an alternative to the public school model. These schools have received international praise for there focus on principles and the spirit of the child. As they say "The curriculum speaks not only to the intellect but also to the physical and emotional capacities, linking head, hand and heart to educate the whole child". Viroqua is also blessed with a superb public school system (which I attended - '87). The intermingling of these diverse families has created an amazing Wisconsin village!
The Public Market is fortunate to have another Viroqua landmark, steps away from its doors - the elegant and wonderfully restored Victorian style Heritage Inn B&B. Vendors and visitors may spend a relaxing night in the B&B and stroll over to the market in for a blissful, truly unique experience.
Merchant, land, creativity, spirit, and soul are churned in a wondrous vortex at a place we call, the Public Market.
