A new online retail portal is now available to connect shoppers within and beyond our state’s borders with more than 230 Main Street businesses across Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced today.
The website, www.mainstreetwi.com, provides a searchable database of more than 230 locally owned shops that offer online sales and shipping. Visitors can choose to search by geography or by product category.
“Local small businesses have been hit especially hard by the COVID 19 pandemic,” said WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes. “This is a great opportunity to help sustain local and small businesses in our downtown districts throughout Wisconsin.”
While many small businesses have begun to reopen in recent weeks, the new website allows local shops to reach a larger customer base and be competitive with larger chain stores and online retailers.
Since the start of the pandemic this spring, many small businesses have had difficulty letting customers know their favorite products are still available online, while buyers who have sought alternatives to chain stores and major online retailers haven’t known where to look.
The Main Street Marketplace helps businesses and consumers make these connections while also showcasing the wide variety of retail offerings available in Wisconsin.
Currently, there are more than 230 shops listed on the site, offering a wide array of goods –specialty food, apparel, home goods, toys, gifts and more.
To be listed, shops must be located in one of the 34 Wisconsin Main Street communities. Additional offerings from local businesses in Connect Communities member communities will be added in the future.
A map of the Main Street communities is available here.
Author: News Desk
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