Great Lakes Market coming soon

Market plans ribbon-cutting at Great Lakes Mall

“The support from Great Lakes Mall, our current vendors and friends is phenomenal. Everyone is on board and excited to help in this new venture.” — Sherri Falkenberg, founder and CEO of Lake Events

The Midday Market has outgrown its space inside the Great Lakes Mall so it is moving to a new location with a new name.

The Great Lakes Market — a market and entertainment complex — will operate out of the former Firestone Auto Care space on the Mentor mall’s property. It features eight garage doors that will be opened up to welcome the public.

It also will feature a dogfriendly patio and 5,500 square foot of indoor space.

“Eventually, we’ll fill the parking lot as well,” said Sherri Falkenberg, founder and CEO of Lake Events. “We’ll be able to host monthly car and motorcycle shows.”

The grand opening and ribbon cutting for the market will take place May 29 at 1 p.m. at the mall.

“I’ve been hosting the Midday Market, featuring local vendors, inside of Great Lakes Mall since Dec. 12,” Falkenberg said.

“It’s been extremely successful in promoting businesses of all types, but we’ve outgrown the indoor space and will kick off an open air market starting Memorial Day weekend and continuing weekly through Halloween.

“We will move back indoors for the winter.”

The Great Lakes Market will feature vendors, live music, dancing, entertainment and food trucks, Falkenberg said, and will be open every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The market will also offer fresh produce and local foods.

As the market grows, it will expand the hours and the days.

Friday and Saturday evening hours will be added to allow open mic events, comedians, oddities, trivia, magicians, workshops and a variety family-friendly entertainment, Falkenberg said. Sunday hours will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and Thursdays will be designated for Lisa Ferrara, owner of Your Next Move Dance Studio.

“Lisa is a huge part of the entertainment portion,” Falkenberg said. “On Thursday evenings, she will lead a dance fit group, which is a fun way of exercising incorporating dance.”

Gina Giallombardo, owner of Carhop’s Diner Dogs, will provide food and her hot dog car can serve up to 1,000 people, Falkenberg said. Additionally, Lori Ferguson, owner of Pap’s Kettle Korn, will be popping her kettle corn and Jesse Webb, owner of Jesse Webb Entertainment, will provide DJ services for the grand opening.

“We hope to have the Mentor Marching Band kickoff the grand opening,” Falkenberg said. “Any other nonprofits or groups that would like to promote themselves are invited to march behind the band in the parade.”

Anyone interested in participating as a vendor or to provide entertainment, as well as anyone who has access to wooden produce stands, carts, wagons, planters, lighting, dance floor, sound systems, tables and chairs should contact Falkenberg at 216-7049009.

“Lisa and I are ecstatic,” Falkenberg said. “The support from Great Lakes Mall, our current vendors and friends is phenomenal. Everyone is on board and excited to help in this new venture.”