Seven things to know about the 2025 NFL draft in Green Bay
Here are a few things to know about the 2025 NFL draft being held April 24-26 in Green Bay.
- Green Bay grocery stores are increasing inventory and adjusting delivery schedules in anticipation of the 2025 NFL draft.
- Metro Market, located near the draft footprint, aims to be a resource for attendees by stocking up on local favorites and ensuring easy access.
Grocery stores in greater Green Bay are working with vendors and delivery teams to prepare for the estimated 250,000 visitors coming to Green Bay for the 2025 NFL draft April 24-26.
The Metro Market, 1291 Lombardi Access Road in Ashwaubenon will be the most visible grocer of visitors to the draft. It is located just outside of the west end of the Draft Experience footprint, between Cabela’s and the Titletown district.
Many fans leaving the Draft Experience will pass the grocer as they head to a charter and shuttle service pick-up location in Cabela’s lot.
The Press-Gazette talked to grocers within 1.5 miles of Lambeau Field as well as Festival Foods.
Metro Market stocks up on curds, Spotted Cow, grilling meats
Metro Market, 1291 Lombardi Access Road, is located just outside of the draft footprint. The opportunity to be so close to the draft and benefit from the increased foot traffic is exciting, but requires a lot of preparation, said Emilie Williamson, division of corporate affairs manager.
“We’re super excited to have the draft and be just steps away from it,” Williamson said. “It’s a really exciting opportunity for us and for the city and for the state.”
The store is working closely with its vendors to ensure it is fully stocked with the items draft attendees will likely be searching for, Williamson said, and adjusting delivery schedules to accommodate road closures in the area.
Metro Market will stock up on some local favorites like grilling meats, Spotted Cow beer, cheese curds, Al Johnson’s Pancake Mix and Skinny Sticks’ Maple Syrup, as well as having a robust grab-and-go section for those looking for an easy meal.
The goal for Metro Market is to have the store open, staffed, stocked and accessible, Williamson said. The store will make sure parking is readily available for customers.
On top of food, Metro Market has a full-service pharmacy where customers can find what they need to get or stay well, Williamson said.
Joining in on the festivities, Metro Market will have its own “Fresh Picks Draft,” Williamson said, hosted by former Green Bay Packers safety Leroy Butler.
Butler will give his draft picks of his must-have game day fare and food experts will provide commentary alongside his lineup. The Fresh Picks Draft will be showcased across Metro Market’s Facebook and Instagram pages during April.
Mason Brothers’ Red Owl plans ‘forward buy’ of inventory
The Mason Brothers’ Red Owl grocery store, 923 Ninth St., is treating the NFL draft like a major holiday or Packers home game, co-owner Jared Mason said. That means looking ahead at staffing and increasing inventory before the event starts.
The Red Owl is about 1.5 miles north of Lambeau and west of Ashland Avenue.
The store is connecting with its vendors now to set up larger deliveries for a week or two ahead of the draft, Mason said, so that by the time the event rolls around, everything is already in stock. Inventory will increase across the board, with a particular focus on stocking items draft attendees are likely to look for like bratwursts, hamburger and buns, alcohol, soda and chips.
“We’re doing more of a forward buy, is what I would call it,” Mason said. “If we’re thinking about it, we’re bringing it in. If it’s questionable, we’re bringing it in. … We want to make sure that we have things people may need throughout the weekend, make sure we take care of them.”
Hy-Vee still in early planning stages, preparing for holiday-level foot traffic
For Hy-Vee, 2395 S. Oneida St., in Ashwaubneon, preparation for draft week will look similar to preparation for major holidays, assistant store manager Tyler Soenksen said.
The area’s only Hy-Vee location, 1.2 miles south of Lambeau, is still in the early stages of preparation for the draft, said Soenksen, the assistant manager. Currently, the store team is holding meetings to prepare labor, supplies and inventory for the event.
While nothing is set in stone yet, Soenksen said the store is treating the draft like a holiday and following preparation steps that they have taken in other instances where an increased number of customers were expected.
Festival Foods will increase production, host cheese demos
Festival Foods locations across greater Green Bay are also working with vendors to increase production to better serve the influx of people coming to the area, community involvement senior specialist Samantha Petersen said. The grocery stores will also prepare extra baked goods, steaks, burgers and fresh deli salads.
Click N Go ordering will be available for customers who prefer online shopping. Guests can sign up for Click N Go and start an order at festfoods.com.
Festival Foods is partnering with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin to host cheese events at several Green Bay-area locations, Petersen said, which will take place April 24-26. The demos will be held at the chain’s following locations: 2430 University Ave., Green Bay; 2250 W. Mason St., Green Bay; 2534 Steffens Court., Bellevue; 1001 Main Ave., De Pere; and 2348 Lineville Road, Suamico.
The dates, times and vendors for the demos are:
- April 24, 2-6 p.m.: Marieke Wedges, Driftless Provisions, Potters Crackers
- April 25, 2-6 p.m.: Carr Valley Cheese Curds, Driftless Provisions, Potters Crackers, Sartori Cheese
- April 26, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Belgioioso Artigiano Wedges, Driftless Provisions, Potters Crackers
Festival Foods will also present a fireworks show at dusk during the Draft Kickoff presented by Wisconsin Public Service Foundation as part of the Draft City Music Fest in downtown Green Bay, Petersen said.
Vivian Barrett is the public safety reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. You can reach her at vmbarrett@greenbay.gannett.com or (920) 431-8314. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @vivianbarrett_.
