Menominee seeks vendors for new Thursday night farmers market

MENOMINEE — A new farmers market is coming to Menominee on Thursday nights this summer — The Waterfront Market.

Lucy Pier, the main organizer, and Menominee Mayor Casey Hoffman held a public input session at city hall Friday to discuss details of the event, which will kick off on May 30 and run for 12 weeks, from 3-7 p.m. on Thursdays, through Aug.15.

They’re looking for vendors right now, with Pier saying they’ve already gained some vendors from their Saturday market. The Menominee Historic Downtown Farmers Market Association will continue hosting the weekend events in addition to Thursday nights.

“I want this to be as big as any farmers market that is well-run in the Midwest, including Green Bay or Madison,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman said the event will mimic the success of previous Waterfront events, including last year’s Fourth of July event. The July 4th event drew 2,500 people, and the Giant Pumpkin Festival last fall attracted 2,000. The interest is there.

“This isn’t just an exclamation point at the end of summer — this is something you can do every week in Menominee,” Hoffman said.

The layout will look slightly different. Vendors will pull their cars up on the grass and set up along the sidewalk opposite the businesses on 1st Street.

People will park along 1st Street and walk down the sidewalk — from Spies Public Library to Zelm Chiropractic — to buy various goods from farmers, crafters, schools, businesses, nonprofits, restaurants, artists and food trucks.

“The only reason that I was able to push this through is because I’m not closing a road, and I’m not requesting any money,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman also noted that the event will be alcohol- and drug-free.

Pier said all vendors will need their Michigan sales tax license. They will not accept flea market or rummage sale vendors but will allow direct sales. She also mentioned that the vendors should expect routine inspections from the state. Other than that, there aren’t many restrictions.

“As long as paperwork is squared away, you will be accepted at the market,” Pier said.

Applications for vendors will be available on the city’s website the first week in April, but vendors can email Pier at menomineehdfarmersmarket@gmail.com or Hoffman at choffman@menomineemi.gov to reserve a spot on the list and receive an email once the form is available.

Interested vendors can participate for all 12 weeks or just a couple, with a two-month fee totaling $130. Hoffman said vendor fees may change slightly after the city council completes the 2024 budget process.

Pier said the market may start slow, as all markets do.

“We will have some farmers on the first couple of dates, but most of your farmers will wait until they’ve got their vegetables coming in, so they’ll come in the middle of June and July,” Pier said.

However, Hoffman said the traffic from Facebook has been considerable, whether it’s vendors asking questions or people excited about the event.

“We’re getting explosive feedback from this,” Hoffman said.

The market will also look for musicians and bands to play during the events.

The event will be the first pairing between the City of Menominee, the Menominee Historic Downtown Farmers Market Association and the Menominee Downtown Business Association.

“The fact that we’re able to do this independently is pretty rare,” Hoffman said.

There’s only one thing they’re missing.

“There is one very serious issue,” Hoffman said. “No one has contacted us saying they will sell elephant ears. This is a necessity.”