Milwaukee Makers Market

Milwaukee Makers Market started nine years ago in a parking lot in Bay View.

Ryan Laessig, the founder and an artist himself, brought together a dozen or so local artists and makers to sell their wares.

What started small has since grown dramatically.

Instead of a parking lot, the Milwaukee Makers Market now fills large venues, including Discovery World, The Ivy House and the Milwaukee Historical Society. And instead of only a few dozen makers, there are nearly 180 accepted small businesses. The Milwaukee Makers Market is now the largest, longest-running market in the city.

“I think the biggest reason Milwaukee Makers Market has grown the way it has is because we’re genuine,” Laessig says. “We care about all our makers; we care about supporting neighborhoods and communities. And we’ll never charge admission for someone to come and shop from these amazing local artists and makers.”

Milwaukee Makers Market hosts six more events in 2024, and will be hosting about a dozen next year, as well, with the latest dates and locations updated on milwaukeemakersmarket.com. Makers run the gamut from artisan candles to clothes, crafts, bakery and more. In July, the market hosted its first festival at Discovery World, an event Laessig is looking forward to bringing back next year, too.

“We’re the one-stop shop local experience,” Laessig says. “You’re definitely going to find amazing things to buy, but when you come to the market, the experience is way more than just shopping. You’re meeting people, hearing the amazing stories of these makers, and becoming a part of this creative community.”