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Declaration That Independence Park Farmers Market is Worth a Visit
- Bob Benenson
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Every-Other-Sunday Market is in the West End of Chicago's Irving Park Neighborhood
I have been all about the farmers markets since we moved to Chicago 14 years ago, and especially since Local Food Forum launched in 2021. The Chicago Region Farmers Market Tracker that we now maintain all year (outdoor and indoor) is symbolic of this devotion.
Nonetheless, with more than 100 regional markets open during the growing season, there are many that I have not personally visited (the fact that the Benensons have been car-less since 2018 is also a factor). So when I enjoy my first visit to a particular market, I like to share it.
That's why this article is talking about Independence Park Farmers Market, which is open the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each in-season month. The market (next open on September 14) is located at 3945 N. Springfield near the west end of Chicago's Irving Park neighborhood, about five miles from our apartment.
We visited during their August 24 opening. There is a friendly ambiance in the market, where a string band entertained the shoppers (photo at top). The park fieldhouse is open in case you need to utilize the indoor plumbing (or join a pick-up basketball game).
Independence Park Farmers Market is not big, probably a couple of dozen vendors, but there are some that are familiar to goers at other area markets...
... and others seeking to grow their businesses.
Our motivation for going that day was Jill, our neighbor and friend. Jill creates beautiful pottery, as you can see in the above photo. Jill shared the market's crafts tent with other makers.
We are long familiar with Jill's talent. The piece on the right is an amazingly accurate depiction of our late and lamented cat Gracie, who we lost in 2019, and I'm forever grateful to Jill for producing it. We also already owned the octopus on the left. And we came home from the market with the lovely bowl (upper left) and the tiny cat miniature that rather resembles our Hobbes, though he is anything but tiny.
Jill vends at Independence Park Farmers Market only occasionally, but she shared three ways to explore her work:
The best overall representation of my work, including everything from WIP [Work in Progress] photos to work headed to gallery shows, is on Instagram: @primordial_matter
Work currently for sale that I’m willing to ship (so none of the planters holding live succulents, unfortunately) can be found at etsy.com/shop/PrimordialMatter
My “pet” project, leaving miniature kitties/creatures in a public location approximately once per month for strangers to find and keep, is on Instagram @stray_clay_chicago
