Executive Q&A: Growing Festival Foods In A Highly Competitive Market

Festival Foods is a staple in communities like La Crosse, Marshfield, Green Bay and Appleton, but last month the Onalaska-based, family-owned grocery chain entered the highly competitive Madison market.

The 55,000-square-foot store is on the ground floor of the $65 million Galaxie building by developer Otto Gebhardt in the 800 block of East Washington. With about 200 housing units above, the Constellation apartment building across the street and more planned for the area, the store is seen by many as a key component to the rapidly developing corridor and a welcome addition to the surrounding neighborhoods.

The company was founded in 1946 by Paul and Jane Skogen but in recent years has been expanding across Wisconsin under the direction of the Skogens’ grandson, Mark Skogen. He spoke with the State Journal on April 7, the day before the doors opened on the Madison store, which includes a mezzanine, bar and outdoor patio overlooking East Washington Avenue.

To read the rest of the story, please go to: Wisconsin State Journal