Milwaukee Public Market now offering curbside and delivery service during COVID-19

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- You can now get your favorites from the Milwaukee Public Market curbside beginning this week. 

Dubbed "Market To-Go" -- the Milwaukee Public Market announced Monday, May 4,, the rollout of an extensive curbside pickup and delivery operation at the local attraction.

"There will be a number of points around the market building to be able to pick up product, both on Water Street, in our parking lot and then on Broadway, where St. Paul fish has dubbed their area 'crabside pickup' because of their giant crab that they've displayed out there," said Milwaukee Public Market Executive Director, Paul Schwartz. 

According to a news release, much of the remaining vendors are providing offerings at secondary locations. The options at the market will include prepared food items, as well as grocery and retail offerings.

Vendors such as St Paul Fish Company are showcasing their sense of humor during the opening, calling their to-go service “Crabside Pickup” in reference to the repurposing of their iconic inflatable crab which usually suspends above their space inside the market. The crab is now temporarily displayed on the rooftop of their outdoor Palapa bar area, which will be the carryout location for the popular fish emporium.

“What has been remarkably endearing throughout the last five weeks is the outpouring of calls and emails to our office asking if we were open or how people could support us during the closure,” said market executive director, Paul Schwartz.  ”It has given us great hope and an overwhelming sense of appreciation for those who have supported our locally owned merchants for the last 15 years.  They are more than patrons. They are family.”

In mid-March, the market closed its operation based on guidelines resulting from COVID-19 pandemic. While Foltz Family Market and Thief Wine have provided curbside pickup and delivery in recent weeks, the Market To-Go rollout is the first expanded offering involving the majority of market vendors.

The public market will begin this new operation while maintaining the health safety precautions that were already in place - including its policy of prohibiting customers from entering the market building at this time. In addition, the Market will require face coverings to be worn by all employees working at the market until further notice.

“The safety and well-being of our employees, customers, and neighbors has never been more important,” said Schwartz.  “We’ll be doubling down on our already high standards with increased attention to cleanliness and safety protocols to make sure customers feel comfortable patronizing our businesses.”

For a full list of vendor offerings and days of operations, CLICK HERE or call 414-336-1111.