“7 Mile Fair is the name of the place…it’s a legend…in its own time….everything under the sun, and some things you never dreamed of…come on out and see what all ya find…”
Those were the lyrics to our very first radio jingle, and they still ring true today.
In the late 1950’s, when Chuck Niles noticed how much “stuff” people had in their attics and basements, he decided to create a place where they could come swap their unwanted items for new treasures. Soon, people were coming from miles around just to browse the aisles and set up shop in what was then an exclusive outdoor flea market. People were excited to have their own big rummage sale every weekend, and friends were made fast. Vendors would gather together for coffee and donuts in one of our first restaurants (still standing today) and get ready for their fun weekend adventure. Pretty soon, our regular customers were doing the same thing. And before we knew it, 7 Mile Fair had become everyone’s ‘weekend escape.”
You really could find anything and everything at 7 Mile Fair. I remember spending my Saturdays as a young girl at the Fair, just loving to walk through the Midway and see what fun trinkets I could find. I would take my weekly allowance and carefully scope out my choices. One of my favorite finds was a Michael Jackson T-shirt with pleather and glitter accents, and it even came with a sparkly glove! Then I would treat myself to cotton candy, popcorn, fresh lemonade, or a slushie. Ahh, those were the days.
I can recall it like it was yesterday. The smells, sights and sounds of a carnival, the excitement of a county Fair and the biggest rummage sale you could imagine! There was always a buzz in the air. You could tell that people were happy to be a part of this weekend family, whether a vendor, customer or employee. Everyone was always excited to see their friends and to come together after a week of the 9 to 5 grind. This was a time to relax, have fun and make some extra cash while doing it!
7Mile Fair provided many entrepreneurs a starting ground and many local residents a place to find employment.
People looked forward to coming each weekend; work felt more like a social gathering than a dreaded task. Plus, the Niles family always kept things lively and their enjoyment of the business was a great example. They couldn’t imagine themselves anywhere else; the Fair was, and still is, like home for our family.
During the ‘80s and ‘90s, our radio slogan became,
“So, where can you find it, no matter what you’re lookin’ for…where can ya go and be sure you’ll find it there? Where can you find it, from the obscure to the obvious? At 7 Mile Fair, that’s where!”
The Fair stood by this, making sure that the classic outdoor market remained for our faithful weekend antique seekers, while integrating up-to-date items for more modern shoppers. Keeping up with the changing times, 7 Mile Fair expanded over the years, designing indoor exposition buildings which allowed us to stay open year-round. More modern merchandise was brought in and more restaurants and a bar were added. Live music was hired to play inside and out, and the outdoor selling area was enhanced to accommodate the growing number of vendors. Not to mention we were still an ideal place location for local employment. Retirees, high - schoolers and those seeking extra cash had a place to hang out on weekends all found a home at 7 Mile Fair.
Today, our “home” is larger than we could ever have imagined, and we still cater to everyone’s needs.
Adults can find anything from clothing, jewelry, tools and stereo equipment to eye glasses, sports apparel and laptop computers. Kids can spend the day in our Fun Zone, where we have a collection of video arcade games, train rides, pony rides and more. They can even win prizes. Considering the current economic situation and the fact that people are extremely conscious of their spending, the Fair allows its customers to stretch their pocketbooks as far as they possibly can for necessary, quality items.
In the summertime (April through October), you can still find the old-time ambiance of our outdoor selling market in full swing, with produce, antiques and collectibles galore.
You can still grab a donut and coffee, but now you can even stop at one of our many food stands and have a breakfast sandwich or stack of pancakes with bacon. We even offer a non-denominational church service every Sunday morning.
We are now the largest indoor/outdoor flea market in the state of Wisconsin, and we have definitely established our place on the map
And although the Fair has seen many changes over the last half century, some things have remained the same. Like the camaraderie and the chance for new business owners to get a head start, and most importantly, everyone still has fun. As we celebrate our 50th year, we are proud to reflect on our history, and we continue to make 7 Mile Fair the place where weekends mean bargains, business and fun for YOU! So, come on down, bring the family, and share in our celebration. We guarantee you’ll have a good time!
Jodie Niles
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