The Milwaukee Public Market opens its new outdoor market on Saturday in the Historic Third Ward neighborhood. And, one of its vendors, St. Paul Fish Company, has opened a long overdue and very welcome Oyster Bar and Grill dining counter at its space on the Eastern side of the market.

As we first reported, the market will move from Water Street to St. Paul and Broadway, mainly to be closer to other retail and restaurants and also to better position the vendors in the sunshine. Free parking is still available on weekends in the lot adjacent to the market (enter on Water Street).

The outdoor market features more than 25 new booths including Wisconsin growers and local artists. The official grand opening festivities will be June 2, and the outdoor market will run Saturdays only from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Oct. 27.

The new St. Paul Fish Company counter offers an extension of what's on their regular menu: soups, sandwiches and, of course, fried calamari and oysters on the half shell. That's nothing better than oysters, in my book, at least.

Milwaukee Public Market officials continue to enhance the ever-growing destination and rumors of new tenants and a possible beer garden continue to swirl. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, here's the special events list for the new outdoor market:

June 23, Make your own ice cream and root beer floats -- 25 cents!
July 14, Fashion show and beauty demos
July 28, Art in the Market
Aug. 18, Kids Day at the Market
Sept. 15, Health and Wellness
Oct. 13, Harvest Festival