Crowds hungry for the flavors of spring turned out in droves for farm-fresh food and artisan baked goods Saturday at Lincoln Park's Green City Market's opening day.
Mary Wonkamarasai, owner of pHlour Bakery in Edgewater, sold out of everything she brought in, even though there were still hours before the market closed. Standing next to an empty showcase, she told people that another batch of her favorite sourdough bread was on its way from the bakery.
Wongkamalasai, who has worked at the market for seven years, said it was “very unusual” for the store to sell out on the first day it opened.
“[The market has] Our business has grown tremendously,” she said. “It’s a great community event.”
Green City Market started its 25th season earlier this year than ever before, thanks to numerous grants and community donations. Organizers said the seasonal market attracted more than 40 vendors on opening day, about double the usual number at this point in the season.
Mandy Moody, executive director of the twice-weekly market, said many stalls sold out within hours of opening on Saturday, thanks to thousands of customers wanting to buy fresh produce.
“Our community rallied around us and donated,” Moody said. “It's a great way to start our 25th season.”
Steve Freeman of Marengo-based Nichols Farm and Orchard has worked at Green City Market almost every year since it opened on Loop Alley. His day begins at 2:30 a.m., loading his farm truck with apples, corn, beets and other produce and arriving in the city in time for the store's 7 a.m. opening.
The market helped connect the farm's produce with Chicago chefs and has been great for the second-generation family farm's business.
“This has become a place for farms to see what is available, so the chefs can shape the menu based on what they see,” Freeman said.
Freeman said he takes special pride in selling food he has worked hard to grow.
“It's kind of a unique full-circle experience of planting something, watching it grow, and watching the person walk away with it,” Freeman said.
Lauren Polito, 27, of Bucktown, walked around the market with her mother, Carol Polito. They had already purchased salsa and were on their way to pick up grilled cheese sandwiches at Loop-based Gail V's Best Ever Grilled Cheese.
The two started going to the market together regularly five years ago. They said they love seeing how much the market has grown in recent years, especially after seeing it shrink during the pandemic.
The younger Polito said he was excited to see such a large crowd on opening day.
“That’s one of the best parts of being in this city.”
