Vendor village at the state tournament

ASHWAUBENON - The doors opened one hour before game time. Fans poured up the stairs, and onto the concourse to find pretzels, popcorn, and other snacks.

But this year fans will find something new on the second floor of the Resch Center.

“Unexpected. In Madison, you don't have the vendors, and this is great because my little girl will love it when I get home and have lipstick for her,” said Kristie Peters of La Crosse.

For the first time at a state tournament, 20 vendors have set up shop.

“We just really wanted to create some kind of special experience for something else for the people to do,” said Terry Charles, PMI public relations manager.

From jewelry, to wooden roses, to those head bands that don't fall off.

Thirteen-year-old Megan Schleusner made them herself.

“The glitter, of course, that they stay in your hair, and they're non-slip,” said Schleusner.

Vendors put up $150 per booth, $300 for the double. But with three days of potential sales, business owners say they really can't go wrong.

“I think it's a win-win, people don't have to go far to do some shopping. And some different products versus your typical stores out there,” said Schleusner.

As the games begin, fans will have a chance to take in the activities on and off the court.

“Yes, I am going to be here the whole weekend,” said Peters.

“I would think there's a lot of people that have time to kill, they come watch other games on their own, so they may want to spend some money and help the merchants,” said Paula Slaby of Wausau.

Officials from the Resch Center say they will evaluate this weekend's sales and see if the vendor village it is something fans will see again next year.