For Immediate Release

Contact Information
Alaina Kallas
Marketing Director
3rd St. Market Hall
414-465-9464
alaina@3rdstmarkethall.com

Iconic Bear on a Tightrope Returning Home to The Avenue

Key destinations partner to move former Grand Ave Mall “Professor Stein” to the revitalized
Avenue Development

MILWAUKEE (December 29, 2021) – The Milwaukee Public Market and 3 rd St. Market Hall announced a
collaborative effort to return the beloved Professor Stein, also known as the “Bear on a Tightrope,”
home to The Avenue later this month.

In 2013, Professor Stein was resurrected from hibernation and rehomed at the Milwaukee Public Market
to pay homage to an adored piece of Milwaukee history. The redevelopment of The Avenue, along with
the resurgence of West Wisconsin Avenue, created an opportunity for Professor Stein to return to his
original location inside the new 3rd St. Market Hall.
 
“The homecoming of Professor Stein celebrates an iconic period of Milwaukee history,” stated Omar
Shaikh from 3rd St. Market Hall. “The intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and 3 rd Street will once again
return to its prestigious roots. Professor Stein’s returned residency at 3 rd St Market Hall will remind
visitors and Milwaukeeans alike of its past while cementing its future.”

In 1982, The Rouse Company developed the Grand Avenue Mall with traditional German influences
featuring a whimsical 7’ bear dressed in a top hat and suit coat, riding along a tightrope on a unicycle. 
He was a huge tourist attraction, and many people fondly remember seeing him upon their visits to the
Grand Avenue Mall. When Northwestern Mutual Life redeveloped the mall in 2004, the bear came down
and went into hibernation.

“We’ve been proud to offer a temporary home to Professor Stein for the last 9 years at the Public
Market, where we’ve curated other relics that engender a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for our
city,” said Paul Schwartz, executive director of the Milwaukee Public Market and Business Improvement
District #2. “The Professor’s ‘homecoming’ is a great symbol of a reenergized Avenue development and
we look forward to exploring what will take his place at the Market.”
 
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About 3rd Street Market Hall

3rd Street Market Hall is an innovative food hall that will combine neighborhood culinary surprises,
entertaining experiences, and locally-made products. The market hall is located in the former Shops of
Grand Avenue at the present-day The Avenue and plans to open in early 2022. 3 rd Street Market Hall
aims to bring a dining experience that is authentic to the varied cultures that make up Milwaukee. The
market hall will open with vendors like Dairyland, Greenhouse, Brew City Brand, Mid-Way Bakery,
Amano Pan, Make Waves, Hot Dish Pantry, Middle East Side, Strega, a selfie museum, Topgolf Swing
Suites, a gaming lounge, and more. Additional vendors, like Dawg City, Paper Plane Pizza, Anytime
Arepa, Kawa, Supernova, and more continue to build out stations. The food hall will also feature a 50-
seat, full-service bar that’s sure to become a downtown favorite for employees, residents, and visitors
alike. A robust Grand Opening event will take place early next year. For more information follow
@3rdstreetmarkethall on Facebook and Instagram.com/3rdstmarkethall or visit 3rdstmarkethall.com.

About the Milwaukee Public Market:

Open since 2005 and owned by the Third Ward Business Improvement District #2, the Milwaukee Public
Market has been named among America’s Best Public Market’s (by Frommers) and has become both an
economic multiplier and a culinary destination, attracting regional residents and national travelers alike.
Located in the vibrant Historic Third Ward neighborhood, the Market showcases 17 independent food &
specialty vendors, offering a wide range of prepared food, grocery and artisanal products. The 2 nd level
hosts a wide array of private and public events, including cooking classes inside the Madame Kuony
Demonstration Kitchen, which features instructors ranging from our own vendors and local Milwaukee
chefs to nationally renowned cookbook authors. With nearly 2 million annual visitors (2019), the Public
Market is among the top attractions for visitors throughout the region. The success of the Market has
gained national awareness – being used as a model for current and future market projects around the
country. For more information, please visit MilwaukeePublicMarket.org.