Main Street Market – A Fresh Friday Tradition in Downtown Brainerd
- Camp Nisswa
- Jun 24
- 7 min read
There’s something different about Friday mornings in Brainerd these days. Maybe it’s the sweet smell of kettle corn and fresh-cut flowers. Maybe it’s the acoustic music playing as neighbors greet each other with coffee in hand. Or maybe it’s the handmade goods, the baked-from-scratch pastries, and the energy of a town coming alive. Whatever it is—you’ll find it at the Main Street Market Downtown Brainerd, nestled in the parking lot of City Hall and bursting with local goodness.
And it all started with a baker and a big dream.
Built from scratch by local baker Doro Schumann, supported by the Destination Downtown Brainerd Coalition (DDBC) and assistant market manager Veronica Geisenhof of Country Sunshine, this market is quickly becoming a staple of the Lakes Area.
“My dream was to create a fun environment for local vendors to sell their wares while bringing the community a wide variety of homegrown and homemade products,” Doro says.
From a Spark to a Movement
The seed was planted in the summer of 2024 with “Market at Zion,” a grassroots gathering organized by Doro. What started as a handful of vendors in a church parking lot quickly grew into something more—a full-fledged community movement to bring a thriving market back to the heart of Brainerd.
When that first location wasn’t available this season, Doro didn’t see it as a setback—she saw it as a sign. Thanks to support from Marie Kirsch of Knotty Pine Bakery and the incredible backing of the Destination Downtown Brainerd Coalition, the market found its new home downtown—where energy and possibility were already bubbling.
“Marie truly was the wind beneath our wings,” Doro shares. “Her exact words were, ‘Let’s make this happen!’—and that’s exactly what we did.”
With support from the Destination Downtown Brainerd Coalition (DDBC) and approval from the City Council, the market secured a home in the City Hall parking lot.
“Everyone at City Hall has been absolutely amazing in supporting us and cheering us on—even giving up their usual parking spaces on Fridays,” says Doro.
Meet the Heart Behind the Market: Doro Schumann
Doro Schumann is a Registered Cottage Food Producer who began baking over 45 years ago. Her passion was born in a tiny tar-paper shack in Cass Lake, where she first learned to bake using a wood-fired oven her father would stoke just for her.
“On the days he would keep the oven going, I would bake all day,” Doro recalls. “Those are still some of my favorite memories.”
After moving to Kelliher and raising five children as a single mom, Doro continued to keep baking close to her heart—filling birthday tables, holidays, and community gatherings with her homemade treats. She later opened a licensed daycare in her home, continuing to blend family, food, and care into everything she did.
When her youngest graduated, a new chapter began. Doro moved to Brainerd and married Matt in 2014—a turning point not only in her life, but in the story of what would become Main Street Market.
“I wouldn’t have made it this far without him,” she says. “He’s my biggest fan, always cheering me on.”
Through every late-night bake, every trial run of a new recipe, and the general chaos that comes with building something from scratch, Matt has been there—quietly supporting her behind the scenes and standing firm as her rock.
“God has blessed us both so much with each other and this amazing place we call home,” Doro adds.
When she discovered she could legally bake from home under the Minnesota Cottage Food Law, it all clicked. With Matt by her side, she stepped into this new season with passion and purpose—and never looked back.
Her early experiences at markets like Cuyuna Range, Northern Pacific Center, and Here For Good Market shaped her understanding of what makes a great vendor experience. She felt the momentum growing. In 2024, she tried launching a market in the parking lot of her church—Market at Zion—which became the launching pad for what is now Main Street Market Downtown Brainerd.
“I’ve certainly developed an incredible admiration for market vendors. I never imagined the work involved before I started doing it myself.” says Doro.
And she’s still at it. Today, you’ll find Doro at two regular markets every week:
Thursdays at the Nisswa Farmers Market
Fridays at the Main Street Market in Downtown Brainerd
Her booth—Sugar Sweet Baking by Doro—is stocked with homemade Nutter Butters, stuffed brownies, mini pies, scones, and more. Come early, because regulars know: her treats don’t sit on the table long.
“This market isn’t just about what we sell—it’s about how we show up for each other.” says Doro.
What Makes the Market Special?
Every Friday, from 9 AM to 2 PM, the Main Street Market offers a curated lineup of local vendors, food trucks, entertainment, and hands-on activities for all ages. But what really sets this market apart is its intentional design: a gathering space where community and creativity intersect.
You’ll find:
Freshly baked goods
Handcrafted jewelry, art, and natural products
Local farm-raised meats and produce
Live music and family activities
Cotton candy and lunch options from food trucks
Easy access to Downtown Brainerd’s surrounding shops and restaurants
This is more than a farmers market—it’s a platform for small businesses, a launchpad for new creators, and a Friday ritual locals are proud to call their own.
“Each and every one of our vendors contributes in making this market as wonderful as it is,” Doro says. “We have it all—shopping, fun, food, entertainment, education, and as a bonus, downtown Brainerd’s beauty and culture all around us.” says Doro.
Market Details
Fridays | 9 AM–2 PM
Brainerd City Hall Parking Lot (501 Laurel St, Brainerd, MN 56401)
Runs weekly through mid-October (weather permitting)
Follow on Facebook for weekly updates, vendor spotlights, and event news.
Meet the Vendors
Each vendor brings their own unique story—and that’s what gives this market its soul.
Brainerd, MN
Baked with love and perfected over decades, Doro’s table is filled with fan favorites: famous homemade Nutter Butters, stuffed brownies, mini pies, scones, cupcakes, and more. If you have a sweet tooth, this is your first stop.
Brainerd, MN
Run by assistant market manager Veronica Geisenhof, Country Sunshine is part greenhouse, part flower farm, and part goat dairy. They offer garden plants, cut flower bouquets, and goat milk products—all rooted in family tradition.
Rick Engholm – The Cookie Man
Brainerd, MN
Locals rave about these soft, buttery chocolate chip and macadamia nut cookies. Rick’s cookies are made fresh and have a signature melt-in-your-mouth quality. One bite and you'll see why regulars grab a box every week.
Bev Williams Custom Jewelry
Deerwood, MN
Bev turns nature into art with hand-wrapped stones, agate candle holders, and decorative pieces. Each item is one-of-a-kind, created with care, and perfect for gift-giving or treating yourself.
📞 218-821-5684
Brainerd, MN
Whipped tallow balm, old-fashioned soaps, lip balms, and natural deodorants made in small batches with simple ingredients. Inspired by prairie life and created for healthy living, this is self-care with purpose.
Deerwood, MN
A family-run operation offering sourdough loaves, farm-fresh pork, garlic, onions, and potatoes. It’s a chance to stock your kitchen with clean, honest food grown and raised just a few miles from Brainerd.
Brainerd, MN
Acrylic and watercolor artist Tania Eller offers everything from original paintings and notecards to hand-decorated coasters, jewelry, and home decor. Each piece is colorful, creative, and crafted with joy.
In His Hands Creations – Marki Dwire
Baxter, MN
Zipper pulls, angel charms, bracelets, keychains, and more—Marki’s work carries a heartfelt message and gives back: 10% of sales are donated to good causes. A perfect mix of meaning and craftsmanship.
📞 218-251-5745
Aitkin, MN
Cotton candy reimagined. From rainbow party bags to glittery drink toppers and custom cotton candy cakes, Kim’s creations are as beautiful as they are sweet. Fun for kids, and secretly just as fun for adults.
The Better Biscuit
Brainerd, MN
Dog treats made with clean, natural ingredients—available in flavors like peanut butter banana and pumpkin apple. They're handmade, decorated, and packaged with love for your four-legged family members.
Brainerd, MN
Stephen Schaitberger, author of Stands Before His People: Enmegahbowh and the Ojibwe, is a retired Episcopal priest who served for decades in Northern Minnesota, where he worked to honor the legacy of Enmegahbowh.
Brainerd, MN
Crabby Dale's BBQ, established in 2021, is a catering and food truck business known for its award-winning, handcrafted BBQ.
Baxter, MN
Buddies' Bag Tags is a small business run by two brothers, ages 10 and 13, from Baxter. They design and sell 3D-printed products like keychains, articulated animals, fidget spinners, personalized bag tags, and more.
Brainerd, MN
Green Barn Veggie Farm, run by Magnus and Krissy Nelson and their growing family, has been operating on 53 acres in rural Brainerd since 2012. They sell fresh, locally grown vegetables through a self-serve stand on their farm, a Summer CSA, and an online Growers Market, while also participating in Brainerd’s Main Street Market. In addition to vegetables, they raise chickens, sheep, ducks, rabbits, and more, and were honored as Crow Wing County’s Farm Family of the Year in 2019.
Looking Ahead: Fourth of July Weekend
Main Street Market is gearing up for one of its biggest events of the season—a special Fourth of July market on Friday, July 4. Expect expanded vendor offerings, extra food options, and festive energy throughout the lot. Whether you’re starting your weekend early or looking for something fun to do before the fireworks, it’s the perfect stop.
Stay tuned for updates via Facebook.
Why It Matters
Markets like this don’t just happen—they’re built. By community. By passion. And by people who care deeply about creating something that lasts.
“We are nothing without our vendors, volunteers, and the community that shows up every week. I’m so proud of how far we’ve come.” – Doro Schumann
If you haven’t made a Friday stop at the Main Street Market yet, now’s the time. Whether you come for the cookies, the flowers, the music—or just the feeling that something good is happening downtown—you’ll be glad you did.
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