Local Business Spotlight: The Market
On the corner of Wisconsin Street and Broadway Ave in downtown Grand Marais stands a family-owned business with deep entrepreneurial roots.
Established by Irene and Loren Leng in 1961, The Market offers unique trinkets and international wares, all intentionally selected for the quaint Grand Marais gift shop.
The couple traveled to European trade shows throughout the years, searching for the next best item to display while building relationships with small international vendors. As the business and family grew, the Lengs included their children, son Bruce and daughter, Beth, in the trade show world. Eventually, over time, they successfully passed on their passion for finding unique treasures to the future generation.
After deciding to step away from the business nearly 20 years ago, their daughter, Beth Schroeder, and her husband, Joe Schroeder, stepped in to run it. Bruce Leng helped manage the real estate portion of the business.
“It’s always been a part of my life,” Beth Schroeder said. “Because that’s how my parents made a living. They were business people. And so I kind of grew up that way.”
Over the years, Beth has traveled to trade shows with her family, including her husband, Joe, son, Chris, and daughters, Catherine (Camie) and Heidi.
Beth’s family visits Grand Marais each summer to help organize, clean, and craft the window displays with all the newly arrived trade show merchandise. Her husband and son also care for and maintain the Leng building.
“It’s been really fun to just unpack and clean and get The Market ready for the summer,” Heidi Schroeder said.” It’s been really busy.”
Just like her mom, Heidi has fond memories of traveling with her grandparents to tradeshows. “It was really fun to pick out things,” she said.
As is the case with a family business, the grandchildren — the fourth generation — have traveled to trade shows and helped select products for the gift shop. Camie and her daughters focus on finding new apparel trends.
Beth said she is thankful for the family’s extra help selecting products for The Market at various trade shows. “I’m blessed to have my family come with me.” Everyone seems to find something different to add to the shop.
Although the business and vendors have changed over the last twenty years, Beth remains committed to the values and vision that her parents established more than 60 years ago. She said she hopes to continue running the business from May to October each year until she reaches 110. “I’m going to make 110.”
WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins sat down with Beth Schroeder, the owner of The Market in Grand Marais, and one of her daughters, Heidi Schroeder. Audio & photos from the July edition of the Local Business Spotlight is below.
*This article has been updated to include the names of additional family members who have contributed to the family business in various roles.
The Local Business Spotlight highlights our local business community’s economic strength and innovation. This feature is brought to you in partnership with Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce.
Kalli Hawkins July 4, 2024
