Friday, April 22, 2011

Farmers Market for the South End of Grant Park

We received numerous comments and emails from readers yesterday who were understandably excited about a Tribune article that talks about a potential Farmers Market coming to the south end of Grant Park:

Bensidoun USA -– the same company that operates a French Market in the Ogilvie Transportation Center –- is in negotiations with the Chicago Park District to manage a seasonal farmers market along Michigan Avenue near the south end of the park.

The market could be up and running as early as Memorial Day Weekend, and stay open through October, according to park district spokeswoman Zvezdana Kubat.

Wow that would be fast and wow would that be great! The only weird thing is that the article says that it would only be open on Fridays from 7am - 1pm. Tough hours for people who work, but still it would be great for the area!

(Hat tip: JG, LH!)

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's a good idea, but not a good plan having it on Fridays. The only people that are really going to go to it are those that don't work.

The farmer's markets in the Loop during the week work because they're near businesses. South Grant Park doesn't have that.

Anonymous said...

It's common in Europe for Farmer's Markets to have hours like that.

Anonymous said...

Don't forget about the small but full of good produce, Printer's Row Farmers Market.
Support your local farmers!!!
Saturday mornings.

Anonymous said...

This is very exciting!

Anonymous said...

Right, but what does Europe have to do with Chicago?

stube said...

Thrilled to have another farmer's market -- especially if it had the kind of diversity as the French Market. I do agree though -- Friday mornings seems questionable. They would be inundated on the weekends. The location would get lots of interest though.

Anonymous said...

It would be great to have it on Saturday. Although, like the other downtown farmers markets, if I did go it would be during an early morning walk.

And I would add, it's not just in Europe ... all the farmers markets in Chicago have those hours, as I suspect they do elsewhere. I think it has more to do with farmers hours than anything to do with Europe .... having grown up on a farm, I know farmers are up at the crack 'o dawn ....

Anonymous said...

I get a sense that Friday mornings will cater to the tourists on their way to the Museum Campus -- not a bad thing, just not really something too useful for the Sloopers. It should make the area look more alive though!

Anonymous said...

Yes! So excited for this!

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I'm excited for a farmer's market close to the 'hood. But really, Fridays? I'd love to support it but like other comments suggest, a large portion of the people who live in the S. Loop area work on Fridays and won't be able to go. I love the Green City Market strategy of having a week day and weekend market (Weds/Sat) or going to the Daley Plaza market during my lunch hour.

Dr. Hays said...

Where are the current farmers markets held for new sloopers like me to check out??? New chiropractor in town and I want to support the local farmers and community!

Kristina said...

Most haven't started yet.

http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/supporting_narrative/events___special_events/special_events/mose/chicago_farmers_markets.html

Anonymous said...

Any new details on this? I live a block from where I assume this market was supposed to happen and was disappointed to see nothing there a couple Fridays ago.

skp said...

What happened to this project? There hasn't been a word since the initial statement in April.