BRIDGEPORT — Holiday shoppers looking to buy local would be well served to stop by Co-Prosperity Sphere on Saturday.
No, really. They'll be "well served" with free craft beer samples while perusing the wares from more than 20 independent Chicago artisans and craftspeople in a pop-up "mini-mart."
It's all part of the release party for Lumpen Magazine's latest issue, an edition dedicated to the city's "makers." The party takes place 5-9 p.m. Saturday at the event gallery, 3219 S. Morgan St.
Included in the magazine's latest issue are unique art works, comics and interviews with the creators of independent Chicago businesses, including food truck owners, metalsmiths, signmakers, clothiers, indie record publishers, optic shop owners, breadsmiths, instrument makers and many more.
Some of those businesses will be on-hand at Saturday's shindig displaying and selling their products. Other vendors from the SMALL Manufacturing Alliance, a group dedicated to trumpeting Chicago's unique local businesses, will also be vending. A partial list is below.
To help celebrate the magazine's release — and the accomplishments of indie business owners — Bridgeport's Marz Community Brewing is debuting Lumpen IPA, an American-style brown ale made with several varieties of experimental hops.
Vendors on Saturday:
ChicagoDTG (garment printing)
Rar Rar Press (handmade letterpressed cards, buttons)
Common Threads (nutrition group)
Jackthemanabouttown (knits)
KalKnits (knits)
Legacy Frameworks (bicycles)
lil sketchy (handmade custom sketchbooks)
Local Foods (grocer, distributor)
Majave Hot Sauce (artisan hot sauce)
Nana Handmade Jewelry (jewelry)
Windy City Glass (hand-blown glassware)
Paratext (literacy project)
Pear Tree Preserves
Re:Paper (hand-bound books)
Rhymes with Twee (graphic design, cards)
Tania Rodamilans Jewelry (jewelry)
Trisha Oralie Martin (art work)
Walling Wonders Unrivaled Cookies (baked goods)
William FitzPatrick (custom furniture)
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
