'It's certainly an honor': Milwaukee Public Market named #1 best in the country
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Public Market has claimed the top spot in the 2024 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, distinguishing itself as the nation's best public market.
"It's beyond flattering," said Milwaukee Public Market Executive Director Paul Schwartz. "It's certainly an honor to be listed as number one."
After a rigorous nomination process and month-long period of public voting, the local market outpaced 20 other notable contenders including Detroit's Eastern Market and Philadelphia's Reading Terminal Market, which secured the second and third places respectively.
"We are just so grateful to be even mentioned alongside them, especially Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia and Pike Place Market in Seattle (which) have been around for over 100 years," he added.
Schwartz told CBS 58 News that Milwaukee has placed on the list several times before, but never ranking top place.
From cheeses and meats to spices and treats, it's a social hub tourists and foodies alike can enjoy.
"It's not just a place where people come and grab their grocery items or their food products, it's a place where you gotta kind of come and hang out," Schwartz said.
The Milwaukee Public Market also aims to engage the community with events like the Riverwalk Commons Concert Series and the Harvest Festival, along with initiatives like the 'School to Work' program for special needs students.
One of the local vendors, owner and chef Azmi Alaeddin of 'Aladdin-Taste of the East' has worked inside the public market since it first opened back in 2005. He told CBS 58 News that local support is everything.
"Just keep supporting the small businesses of Milwaukee and that's how cities and communities grow up and get successful," Alaeddin said.
Schwartz said this recognition is only the beginning.
"All of us are taking a moment to really embrace this but knowing that this is not it, like, we have a lot of other great and big things that we're going to be doing in the coming months and years," he said.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, April 24.