Small Business Week is here, and we’re gearing up to spread the local love.
We’ve chatted with some Madison small businesses to celebrate the folks who make up the backbone of our local economy. And now, we are sharing those conversations.
First on our list is Fraboni’s Italian Specialties & Delicatessen Inc., located on 108 Owen Rd. This local eatery, walk-up counter, and catering service has been in business since 1971 with a crew of 35 dedicated members.
Q: How would you describe your small business?
A: We are a family-owned and operated Italian deli and specialty store. We offer a great selection of hot and cold sandwiches, salads, hot dinners, meats, cheeses, pasta, frozen pizza, meatballs, sauces and groceries.
Q: When someone visits you for the first time, the one thing they have to try is _____.
A: Meatballs. Or Porketta. OK, maybe some sausage too.
Madison Night Market | 5-9 p.m. | State Street + Capitol Square | Cost of purchases | Shop at 100+ eclectic vendors, showcasing handmade products, local art, artisan gifts, artisan foods, and fresh produce.
Shakespeare’s “Henry the Fifth” | Thursday, May 8-Sunday, May 11 | Times vary | $25+ | Watch a fast-paced, modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s sweeping historical drama, featuring Joshua Woolfolk as King Henry V.
Friday, May 9
Warner Family Fun Night | 5:30-8 p.m. | Warner Park | $5 | Families can create art projects, play in the game room or the gym, watch a movie or win some prizes playing bingo.
Saturday, May 10
Mad City Ghost Walks | 7-9 p.m. | Wisconsin Masonic Center | $25 | From paranormal activity to chilling unsolved murders, you will leave this spooky tour more enchanted than you came.
Sunday, May 11
The North Street Jazz Jam | 7-10 p.m. | North Street Cabaret | Free | All styles and instruments are welcome at this community session, or pull up a seat and listen to the music.
Monday, May 12
Zane Lamprey | 8-9:30 p.m. | Working Draft Beer Co. | $25+ | Sip locally brewed beer while laughing along with this comic who has stand-up specials on Amazon Prime.
Tuesday, May 13
“Clue: A New Comedy”| Tuesday, May 13-Friday, May 16 | 7:30 p.m. | $33+ | A murder, a mansion, a mystery — watch this classic show and discover who is the mind behind this madness.
Wednesday, May 14
2025 DMI Annual Celebration | 4-7 p.m. | Camp Randall Stadium | $100+ | Individuals and businesses are invited to this evening of food, drinks, networking, and fundraising for Downtown Madison.
You can walk around, see the homes in real life, and get ideas about what will work for your specific needs. | Photos courtesy of Detour Marketing
Victory Homes of Wisconsin is redefining your weekend plans. Imagine strolling through beautifully-crafted model homes, open for your exploration every Saturday and Sunday, 12-4 p.m.
Whether you’re dreaming of a custom build or seeking inspiration, these homes offer a glimpse into endless possibilities. Feel the space, envision the details, and discover what makes a Victory Home uniquely you. Bonus: They can also help find the perfect location to build your new home.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison broke ground on a 395,000-sqft engineering center. The Phillip A. Levy Engineering Center has an approx. $420 million price tag, and a construction timeline has not been released. (Construction Dive)
Try This
You can explore the innovative home of Frank Lloyd Wright in Spring Green. Taliesin Preservation is hosting tours now through October where visitors will listen and watch archival audio and video featuring Wright himself. Tickets are on sale now.
Edu
Madison Metropolitan School District is looking to fine tune its 4K program with a $1+ million investment. If the local school board approves the change, six kindergarten classes designed for four-year-olds (“4K” — get it now?) will be added to three elementary schools. (The Cap Times)
Opening
Goodbye, Miko Poké. Hello, HWY1. While Madison’s first-ever poke shop is closing, it’s being replaced by a fast casual restaurant owned by the same folks. They are planning to remodel and reopen sometime in June. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Community
Improvements to East Madison Bikeways and North Shore Drive Path are now underway. Various enhancements will be completed by mid-June, such as more visible pavement markings.
Family
Half-Pint Resale, a popular consignment store for kids, is popping up at Mandt Community Center tomorrow, May 9 through Sunday, May 11. Stop by from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to find a wide range of clothes, shoes, and accessories discounted at 20-30% off. (WMTV 15)
Award
New Glarus Brewing won three awards in the 2025 Beer World Cup. Kriek and Champ Du Blanc won gold + silver for the Belgian fruit beer category, and Imperial Pilsner won bronze for the other strong beer category. (WMTV 15)
State
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is planning an aerial spray for spongy moths near multiple popular camping sites. These hungry bugs are known to devastate local plants, trees, and shrubs + can sometimes cause various irritation to people. Impacted counties are Juneau, Marinette, and Sauk. (WMTV 15)
Community
Let them eat cake — birthday cake, that is. Celebrate Madison Public Library’s sesquicentennial at one of four locations hosting 150th Anniversary Parties this Saturday, May 10. Enjoy cake, giveaways, historic photo displays, and interactive activities for all ages.*
Cause
Did you know? St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands of children. Learn more about Madison’s first St. Jude Dream Home® Showplace and how it’s helping those fighting pediatric cancer.*
Travel
Need Memorial Day Weekend plans? Head to Milwaukee for a one-of-a-kind getaway at the Harley-Davidson Museum. Spend the weekend exploring 120+ years of legendary motorcycle history, grab bites at MOTOR Bar & Restaurant, and so much more at the ultimate moto experience. Plan your visit.*
Stat
$8,000+. That’s how much you could spend if your dog breaks a bone in a car crash, fall, or collision — from wound treatment and x-rays to emergency surgery and aftercare. Luckily,this pet insurance plan could reimburse you up to 90% of that cost.*
Wellness
Struggling to shed pounds? Simple is a science-backed app that helps users lose weight with habit trackers, fasting schedules, and personal coaching. Join millions who’ve already lost weight without medication, sustainably. Take the quiz to start your journey and get 50% off.*
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Feature your biz in our 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide
Put your business in front of thousands of daily readers. | Graphic by 6AM City
This month, we launched our 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide to showcase gifts that say I appreciate you to parents, grandparents, neighbors, mentors, and life-long friends.
While we’ve already filled all our slots ahead of Mother’s Day, we’ve opened up a few more for Father’s Day.
Whether your business offers a neat product, one-of-a-kind gift, or unique service that could be enjoyed by a father figure — we want to feature it. Secure your spot by Friday, May 23.
Zhang is a fellow in UW-Madison’s creative writing department. | Photo by 608today | Jonathan Shipley
What’s better than a good book? A good book written by your neighbor. Grab your favorite cup of tea or coffee and get ready to meet your next read, because we’re talking about locally written books in Madison.
Fiction
“The Sorrows of Others” by Ada Zhang | Release date: May 9, 2023 | Set shortly after the Cultural Revolution, the stories illuminate the lives of immigrants and revolutionaries.
"Moments of Happiness” by Mike Leckrone and Doug Moe | Release date: Sept. 10, 2024 | Leckrone makes note of his 50-year career as director of bands at UW-Madison.
It’s easy to support small businesses across the globe when you shop unique + one-of-a-kind products on Etsy. One of our favorite things to browse is Etsy’s selection of custom artwork. These are five of our favorites:
I am once again asking for your financial (and emotional) support for our local wildlife population. Our good friends at DCHS are accepting donations as they care for multiple baby animals that unexpectedly arrived.
It began with a great horned owl hatchling and has grown to multiple ducklings, house finches, morning doves, a rabbit, and a red tail fox. Basically, their inventory is looking like the start of a really solid animated Disney movie. But this is real life and they need real support, so if you are able, consider helping out.
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