By Colleen Muldowney
Madison Magazine
Special To Channel 3000

Named after Chicago's famous "bargain basement" street, State Street's Maxwell Street Days will have most businesses on State Street turned inside out, bringing hot buys, bargains and delicious food out of the stores and restaurants and onto sizzling State Street. It just might be Madison's hottest weekend all summer.

Each year, shoppers mark their calendars for these deal days and look forward to some of the summer's best sales and some even take the day off of work for the event. While markdowns vary from shop to shop, customers can expect major closeouts this weekend.

Stop by retailers like B-Side and the Exclusive Company for music needs or more specialty shops like Art Gecko, Little Luxuries, Shakti and Tellus Mater for jewelry, gifts and home goods. Markdowns of 50 percent or more at Yellow Jersey bike shop and Sports World are commonplace among businesses during Maxwell Street Days. There will be something for everyone this weekend.

Preparing For Christmas In July

Customers are not the only ones reaping the benefits of this Madison tradition. Storeowners plan for weeks, even months, ahead of time to prepare for this shopping weekend. And it's well worth the preparation time. Good weather plus two times the traffic of a normal summer weekend on State Street equals great sales volume for business owners. Tony Badame, owner of The Sacred Feather hat shop, has been participating in Maxwell Street Days for over 30 years.

"It's Christmas in July," says Badame, who marks all merchandise in his store 10 percent off, as well as feature $5 and $10 tables and half off hat racks on the street.

Like most business owners on State Street, Badame's preparation is not limited to marking prices on a few hats, however. Pricing, which takes at least a couple of weeks, is only one item on a two-page to do list. Stores have to plan for the weather with umbrellas and awnings for sun and rain and hydration systems to keep both customers and employees comfortable in the heat, as well as stock closeouts for months in advance.

Most stores will staff at least 10 to 12 people on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. John Williamson, who has owned Sports World for 15 years, has a dozen employees working inside and outside his store for the event. As late as Monday, Urban Outfitters had a sign soliciting temporary help near the registers for the three-day sale.

Urban Outfitters will most likely use some of these employees to perch on ladders set up around its tables, as they've traditionally done. In addition to the theft concern, having enough employees ensures there is plenty of staff to assist the high volume of customers in and out of the stores during this weekend. If shopping isn't your bag though, don't worry. This festival is not limited to retail, but boasts delicious food and music too. From Frida Mexican Grill all the way down to State Street Brats, participating restaurants will include Hawk's, Himal Chuli, Tutto Pasta, Real Chili, Husnus and more.

Or grab an ice cream at the Chocolate Shoppe and stroll the street to hear some great acoustic folk music. Madison Folk Music Society, in collaboration with Madison Songwriters Group, has arranged performances all weekend at Lisa Link Park, 452 State Street (the corner of Frances and State). For a complete schedule of performances, check out maxwellstreetdays.org.

With the largest concentration of independent businesses in the city, Mary Carbine, executive director of the Business Improvement District for State Street and the Capitol Square and media relations person for event, calls State Street's event an opportunity you just can't miss.

"You can shop and eat at unique the places that you can't find anywhere else," says Carbine.

To take part in Madison's tradition this year, stop by State Street on Friday or Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.