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Morton Grove’s winter market offers food, crafts, gifts, entertainment
Shoppers crowd the Morton Grove American Legion Civic Center last year at the village's first Winter Farmers’ Market. This year’s version, which opens Dec. 1, will offer more space for vendors and entertainment, and expanded hours.
Updated: December 30, 2012 6:19AM
MORTON GROVE — Visitors to the village’s pair of Winter Farmers’ Markets will find a bounty much different than the summer version.
But organizers say that the lack of summer fare will be more than offset by a range of vendors selling food, crafts and plenty of items for the holidays,
The first winter market will be held Dec. 1 with the second on Feb. 2. Both run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Morton Grove American Legion Memorial Civic Center, 6140 Dempster St.
“We have different vendors,” said Elaine Monterola, one of the market managers. “We’re having more crafty, gifty kind of vendors.”
The winter markets will feature about two dozen vendors, she reported.
Monterola said that the summer market, which is held in an area west of the civic center, typically features 25 to 30 percent farmers.
At the winter markets, held for the first time last year, vendors will sell apples, apple cider, jams, jellies and similar products, Monterola said.
But the market will still offer plenty of food venders, she said.
Food items for sale will range from grass fed beef and free-range chickens to farm fresh eggs, gluten-free baked goods to Whoopie Pies and cake pops.
The February market also will feature a specialty foods vendor with British Bangers and Rashers – sausages and bacon.
Monterola said the markets last winter drew about 1,000 people. While organizers were pleased with the turnout, it also made for some crowded conditions on the main floor of the civic center, where everything was located.
“This year we extended it upstairs as well,” Monterola said. “This year we have more space and are open an hour longer.”
The second floor will be used for live music and also will feature a café offering prepared food. There will be an Kiddie Corner for children’s crafts and family entertainment upstairs as well.
Monterola said the market will offer attendees a chance to do some holiday shopping, and a fun way to spend a couple of cold weather Saturdays.
“There’s not a lot to do around here,” she said. “It’s an event to do on Saturday, a place to see your neighbors and friends.
“This is the place to be in the winter.”
Main sponsors of the winter markets are Bath Fitter, Chicago Parent Media and My Gym Children’s Fitness Center.
Vendors for the winter markets include Albo Acres, offering alpaca wool sweaters and other items; Aunty Jeanne’s jams jellies and honey; The Cheese People; Maier’s Bakery; and Northshore Pet Chef featuring animal treats and pet food.
A full list of vendors is available at the Morton Grove Farmers’ Market website: mgfarmersmarket.com/winter-market-details-announced.
