ANDERSONVILLE — Wednesday was opening day for the Andersonville Farmers Market, a much-anticipated event in its fifth year that brings fresh produce, baked goods and more to the neighborhood every week from now until October.
The roster of nearly 30 vendors offers everything from flowers, wine, cheese and honey to fresh lamb, fruits and vegetables, pie, gourmet tea, soup, pasta sauce and salsa. There's even a knife sharpener available.
This is Brady Bradine's third year at the market, where he sells all-natural, whole grain baked goods such as cookies, cupcakes, muffins and brownies from his bakery in west suburban Oak Park, B True Bakery.
"It's nice to be back out on this street — I love Andersonville," said Bradine, also an Andersonville resident. "This is my 'hood. This is where my customers are, this is where my family is, so it's nice to be back."
He said Andersonville residents are a loyal bunch when it comes to the farmers market, which will also feature musical performances from local artists, "so it makes it a lot of fun."
"Especially that first market of the season; everybody's so amped up and excited for it," Bradine said.
Wednesday was farmer Nick Choate-Batchelder's first time bringing his fresh produce to the market from his farm in north suburban Grayslake, Midnight Sun Farm.
"It looks like a real nice setup. I'm excited to be part of it," Choate-Batchelder said. "We just started but we've already made some sales — it's looking good."
Mike Safreed, an Andersonville resident for 10 years, said he plans to come every week, even if he doesn't spend money.
"Even if I'm not buying stuff, it's still great to walk through it and just check it out, or at least come and buy a tomato for a buck," Safreed said.
The market will be open every Wednesday afternoon and evening on West Berwyn Avenue between North Clark and North Ashland avenues, and will run until Oct. 16.
The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, which runs the market, said shoppers without cash who want to use their credit, debit or Link cards can have funds from their cards converted to tokens that can be used to buy items from vendors.
For more information about the market, including hours, a complete list of vendors, click here.
