by Ray Forgianni
Saturdays, 9 am – 2pm
Second Avenue, between 54th & 56th St.
kenoshaharbormarket.com
We were very happy to open Kenosha HarborMarket for its 2020 outdoor season June 27. In the wake of the impact of COVID-19 on the community, the Market has a slightly different feel this summer
We have been working closely with officials of the City of Kenosha and Kenosha County to assure the safety of Market visitors, as well as our valued vendors. New guidelines and requirements regarding points of access, crowd-spacing and sanitation are in place. We are happy to see the public is helping us protect both them and the vendors by paying attention to new signage and by using requested access points and paying attention to crowd-flow directions.
In its 18th year of operation, Kenosha HarborMarket is an open-air, European-style, mixed market that operates year-round. It is a nonprofit organization. Due to restrictions in place related to COVID-19, some vendors who have been regulars at HarborMarket cannot attend at this time. These are mostly vendors of crafts, art, jewelry and other classes of products listed as non-essential in government guidelines. This also includes service providers and not-for-profit groups.
HarborMarket is dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable experience to its customers, vendors, and staff. In an effort to provide a safe shopping experience, and as required by the City of Kenosha, Kenosha HarborMarket is following the recommendations outlined in Kickstart Kenosha County.
Like past summers, Kenosha HarborMarket can be found in Downtown Kenosha, along 2nd Avenue between 54th and 56th Streets behind the Kenosha Public Museum and Civil War Museum. The city of Kenosha has now given HarborMarket permission to expand back to its original footprint with a expansion across 56th Street and south across Place de Douai toward the Marina.
HarborMarket has been a summer Saturday destination for visitors to Kenosha for many years. We have been thrilled to see old friends and new visitors as they have returned to the most beautiful setting for a public market anywhere in the Midwest.
And, as we know, a trip to HarborMarket is often a daylong outing. After HarborMarket visitors have found their favorite produce and food product vendors, we certainly encourage them to visit the retailers and restaurants of Downtown Kenosha who are open and ready to serve them. HarborMarket visitors with a little more time can find a number of shopping, dining and recreation options around the Southeast Wisconsin region.
If you have any questions about HarborMarket, its location, vendors or its operation, please visit Kenoshaharbormarket.com.
About Ray Forgianni
Ray Forgianni is the founder and president of Kenosha Common Market Inc., a not for profit corporation, which operates Kenosha HarborMarket, a European style farmer market.
Ray was the City Planner and Director of City Development in the City of Kenosha for 33 years, retiring in 2006.
Earning a BA Psychology at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ray went on to be awarded a Master of Science degree in Urban Affairs from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Ray’s professional interests have also included Urban Revitalization, Historic Preservation, Urban Design, Redevelopment and Economic Development.
You can find Ray at Kenosha HarborMarket. Ray also cultivates a garden, travels through Europe visiting Public Markets and public spaces. He is an avid cook and wine connoisseur.
