Madison Shopping

Also known as Curb Shopping, or Trash Pickers Paradise, happens the few days before and after Aug 14/15.

Most leases around here end on the 14th, and start on the 15th. With a large student population, and a lot of renters you pretty much have chaos at that time. People get lazy, and don't want to move their stuff, so they toss it out on the front grass near the street. If it's out there, and it catches your eye--pick it up. Thus...you have curb shopping.

Even better, other spots spring up around town where you drop your stuff off you don't want anymore. Enough people do this and you have a little market going. Drop off a few things, look around and grab what you want or need. It all works smoothly. Then about August 18th or so, the St Vinnies and Goodwills of the city come by and pick up anything left over not taken. The best one is on the corner of E Wilson & Patterson St.

It gives you something to talk about at the corner tavern afterwards too. Admire, envy or laugh at some of the things people got.

The good stuff goes fast obviously. You don't find all that much nice, but it's a nice thing to use and reuse stuff you'd normally throw out. It's estimated that over 800 tons of stuff gets thrown out this week in the downtown area alone, so every little bit helps. Save that landfill space!

What to buy: Household items, pots & pans, clothes, shoes, furniture are in abundance.

What to pay: Nuthin'

This mall is the older of the two shopping malls. This mall is more for the true blue collar working class. The prices are resonable and do not boast of "designer shops". Even the surrounding strip malls have the same appeal. I shop at these shops rather than the ones on the west side or in Westown Mall because it is not "trenddy" and over priced. You are most likely to find a bargin in this area of town.

What to pay: Reasonable area, not over stated, tready, not designer-over priced, clerks are more helpful and not snotty.

I love State Street. There are over 200 eclectic shops and specialty stores featuring books, CD's, jewelry, gifts, arts, crafts, college apparel, sporting goods, women's fashions, specialty foods, bicycles, army gear, hats, eyeglasses, cigars, and of course tons of ethnic places to eat. The only street that i know of where you can buy genuine army boots and blueberry bath bubbles within walking distance of each other.

What to buy: Something for all tastes here

This is a wonderful shop full of rocks, stones,jewelry making materials
Semi-precious stone beads, Austrian crystal, findings, pipestone, fossils, shells, carvings, Finished goods, great raw material, decent prices. I was awed by this shop as a small kid and still loved going as I grew older. Not a fancy store, just a buried treasure in downtown Madison.

Lots of different types of cheese! They also have souveniers and Wisconsin T-shirt's and hats.

What to buy: At the cheese shop I bought onion cheese, tomatoe and basil cheddar cheese, cheddar cheese with blue cheese chunks in it and smoked cheddar cheese. They taste fantastic!

What to pay: The cheese varies on what type of cheese it is and how large the block of cheese is. For instance, I got a pretty large chunk of blue cheese and cheddar for $10.50 and my large block of onion cheese was $6.50.
T-shirts seemed kind of pricey, $15.00-$20.00.

Linking the Capitol Square with the University of Wisconsin campus, State Street is a shopper's paradise. State Street is a pedestrian mall lined with over 200 unique shops and specialty stores featuring books, CD's, jewelry, gifts, arts, crafts, college apparel, sporting goods, women's fashions, specialty foods and much more. You can even find bicycles, army gear, hats, eyeglasses, cigars, chocolate and ice cream.

Notable stores include Urban Outfitters, Steve & Barry's for cheap UW t-shirts and other paraphernalia, Ragstock for funky vintage clothing, Jazzman and Soulman for men's wardrobe and shoes, as well as BOP for women's trendy urban wear. For the fun little gift or that really special item, there really is something for everyone on State Street!

Over 1 1/2 miles of locally-owned and diverse specialty shops and businesses make this street one of Madison's best-known and distinctive shopping districts.

Located on the near west side of Madison, the Monroe Street shops are bordered by a beautiful historic neighborhood and conveniently located near UW Madison's Camp Randall Stadium, Henry Vilas Zoo, Edgewood School and College campuses, Vilas Park and the UW Arboretum.

Specialty shops include gourmet cookware, specialty foods, women's and children's apparel, sporting apparel and equipment, jewelry and gifts. Many stores feature items from other cultures and countries, such as oriental rugs; native American Indian jewelry, crafts and gifts; English and Amish furnishings and accessories.

Monroe Street is also well-known for art galleries, antiques and interior design studios. Several galleries offer fine art, ceramics, glass, jewelry, crafts and custom-made pieces as well as framing and design services. Works by artists from all over the country are often featured.

The smallish mall is home to over 50 specialty stores, many of them locally or regionally owned. The mall's anchor tenant is Marshall's Fields, the Chicago-based department store chain that is also Madison's most upscale department store. The mall also houses the University Bookstore, Bath and Body Works, a food court, and Sentry a popular Wisconsin-based grocery store with its annual BratFest held on Hilldale's parking lot. Nicely decorated during the holiday seasons, with nightly caroling performances and free gift wrap at the customer service desk.