Winter Farmers Market in Menomonee Falls?

When you think of going to a farmers market, it usually brings to mind images of a lazy, hot summer Saturday morning.  It’s taking a stroll among local vendor booths, choosing tomatoes, flowers and other produce.

But how about a winter farmers market?  How about an indoor opportunity for vendors to sell year-round products like jams and baked goods during the late fall and long winter months? That’s an idea being seriously considered by Heidi Hornung, who manages the Shady Lane Greenhouse, W172N7388 Shady Ln.

“One of my employees and I were thinking about the fact that there are vendors with products from jams and jellies to honey, eggs and baked goods that don’t really have an outlet to sell their product,” Hornung said.  “Since we have a facility that is enclosed, and we have quite high traffic in the winter, it might be a nice space to do it, especially around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays to offer something like this to the vendors. The products would have to be locally made because local people like that.” 

Of course, if the winter farmers market idea is to succeed, Hornung will have to find enough interested vendors. She has already received a thumbs up from those who run the traditional summer farmers market in the Falls.

“It would be a nice Falls destination on Saturday mornings if you were looking for a local food source,” said Barb Watters, the Menomonee Falls Village Centre BID manager.  “We’re excited about it because it’s another outlet for local people to sell their honey, jelly, and cheese. It’s definitely a win-win situation for both the market and the greenhouse.”

One added, popular attraction to get customers to come out during the colder months is the huge model railroad display at the Shady Lane Greenhouse.

“We have the largest G-scale model railroad display in the Midwest and in that building we have space and it draws a lot of people to come and see this train in the winter,” said Hornung.  “It’s nice to be able to offer people something that we don’t offer.”

If Hornung finds enough interested vendors, she is hoping a final decision on the idea will be made by March or April.  She is hoping to begin the market sometime around Thanksgiving to give customers an extra shopping destination leading up to Christmas. The winter farmers market would also be open in January and February which are much slower times for Shady Lane’s traditional business. She believes a number of vendors will welcome this unique opportunity.

“There are some vendors who can’t take part in the summer farmers market because their product isn’t ready or maybe the weather’s too hot,” said Hornung. “This might be a good option for them.”

Vendors interested in the winter farmers market can contact Hornung at (262) 251-1660. There is more information about the location at www.shadylanegreenhouse.com.