Maxwell Street Days begins Thursday, but a changing State Street means fewer retailers
BARRY ADAMS
Rachel Strunk, of Rockford, models a dress off the rack for her daughter, Mikayla, at left, as they shop at Princess of India during Maxwell Street Days on State Street in 2021.
Visitors pass Metric Forrest Studio, which opened late last month at 330 State St. The jewelry and gift shop will experience its first Maxwell Street Days this week and add to the retail scene in a Downtown dominated by bars and restaurants.
Paul Strong has been a part of Maxwell Street Days in Madison since he started working at Jazzman in 1988. He now owns the place but longs for the days when retail dominated State Street. Today, only about 19% of Downtown businesses are classified as retail. In 1998, it was 50%.
Barb McCarthy, a sales associate at Jazzman in the 300 block of State Street, prepares for Maxwell Street Days, which begins Thursday and runs through Sunday. The store will have racks of men's and women's clothing on the street for the annual summer sale.
Forrest Voedisch, owner of Metric Forrest Studio on State Street, has been selling retail items for years but now has her first brick-and-mortar store.
The 400 block of State Street has only a few retail shops, including the shoe store August and the clothing store Wisconsin Designs. Otherwise, it's primarily home to food businesses and several vacant spaces that had been scheduled to be removed for a redevelopment project that was ultimately rejected by the city.
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Forrest Voedisch, owner of Metric Forrest Studio on State Street, talks about some of the items for sale at her shop.
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Forrest Voedisch, owner of Metric Forrest Studio on State Street, will use a cart to sell merchandise during Maxwell Street Days.
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
The Soap Opera’s window display draws in customers along State Street. The retail business has been a Downtown staple for more than 50 years.
Visitors pass Metric Forrest Studio, which opened late last month at 330 State St. The jewelry and gift shop will experience its first Maxwell Street Days this week and add to the retail scene in a Downtown dominated by bars and restaurants.
Forrest Voedisch, owner of Metric Forrest Studio on State Street, has been selling retail items for years but now has her first brick-and-mortar store.
Paul Strong has been a part of Maxwell Street Days in Madison since he started working at Jazzman in 1988. He now owns the place but longs for the days when retail dominated State Street. Today, only about 19% of Downtown businesses are classified as retail. In 1998, it was 50%.
The 400 block of State Street has only a few retail shops, including the shoe store August and the clothing store Wisconsin Designs. Otherwise, it's primarily home to food businesses and several vacant spaces that had been scheduled to be removed for a redevelopment project that was ultimately rejected by the city.
Barb McCarthy, a sales associate at Jazzman in the 300 block of State Street, prepares for Maxwell Street Days, which begins Thursday and runs through Sunday. The store will have racks of men's and women's clothing on the street for the annual summer sale.
Rachel Strunk, of Rockford, models a dress off the rack for her daughter, Mikayla, at left, as they shop at Princess of India during Maxwell Street Days on State Street in 2021.
