The Clarendon Hills farmers market is set to return for its ninth season from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 15 and return each Thursday through October 16 at Village Hall Plaza, 1 N. Prospect Ave.
Sponsored by the Clarendon Hills Chamber of Commerce, spent its first four years after starting up in 2017 in the Sloan Triangle at Prospect and Park Avenues. It moved in 2021 to Village Hall Plaza.
“Every year our neighbors look forward to the return of the Farmers Market, which signals the end of the school year, while continuing the village tradition of gathering and shopping together on Thursday mornings,” said Shannon McDonald, the chamber’s director. “We are really pleased to welcome back many of our returning vendors as community favorites.”
One vendor that isn’t returning is LaVanway Farms, out of Berrien Center, Michigan, which had been an anchor at the Clarendon Hills Farmers Market since its first year.
“Cindy with Lavanaway Farm has said she is stepping away from her involvement with markets and has been working since last year to pass the baton on to a nearby farm, Dad’s Farm, to take over her established farmers markets,” McDonald said.
Joining Dad’s Farm as a vendor new to Clarendon Hills are Flock and Field, offering personal care products, and Pet Wants, which will be selling pet treats and food.
Eleven vendors are scheduled to be onsite in Clarendon Hills throughout the season, including popular returnee Hahn’s Bakery out of Geneva, which has become well known in the village for its doughnuts, but has several other bakery items for sale.
Also returning are Azteca Catering Co. with Mexican cuisine, Spartan Gourmet Foods featuring olives and olive oil, Hufendick Farm Market with fresh pork, beef, poultry and lamb, Maly’s Foods featuring vegetable egg rolls, The Cheese Lady, Lincoln Land Kettle Corn and Boa Acai Bowls.
Little Love Tees, featuring children’s clothing, is scheduled to be in Clarendon Hills June 5 and June 26, and a new village business, Sparrow Coffee, will be joining the market periodically, McDonald said.
She said new vendors are added each year in one of two ways.
“Vendors come to us through word of mouth, and I will seek out vendors to help us fill a void in the market, offering consumable products,” McDonald said.
Along with the vendors, the Clarendon Hills Public Library will be hosting Children’s Story Time at 11:30 a.m. at the market on the second Thursday of each month— June 12, July 10, Aug. 7, Sept. 11, and Oct. 9.
Village President Eric Tech said he believes the farmers market provides a real sense of community and a gathering place for Clarendon Hills residents.
“For my wife, it is a ritual which she looks forward to, meeting neighbors and reconnecting with the vendors,” he said. “With the creation of the functional plaza in front of our village hall, it has the added benefit of drawing from our neighboring communities and showcasing our beautiful public spaces.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.