The Downtown Elgin Farmers Market, which saw a 47% spike in attendance in 2022, will be moving to a new, temporary location this year because of construction planned for the Spring Street area, officials said.
One location under consideration is Riverside Drive Promenade along the Fox River, although no decision has been finalized, according to Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin (DNA), which organizes the outdoor event.
A temporary location must be chosen prior to the market’s June 2 opening day.
Last year, the farmers market attracted a total of 23,258 visitors, meaning the average weekly attendance was 1,162 — nearly 50% more than in 2021, DNA’s annual report said.
“It was amazing,” DNA’s Executive Director Jennifer Fukala said. “I think we attributed that to people feeling comfortable reengaging in public events (as COVID-19 infections started to wane).”
The success also can be credited to “looking at the situation and hitting that mark for people,” she said. “Once we saw the first couple of years that people were into it, we built on that feedback, and it has continued. I think we found something that works for our community.”
The market had 61 vendors participating in 2022, an increase of 64.3% over the previous year, the annual report said. Twenty-seven were there for the full season and 34 for part of the season.
A wide range of items, including freshly grown fruits and vegetables, homemade sauces, meats, eggs, breads, CBD products, homemade dog treats and woven/knitted items, were available. Top-selling products by percentage were produce, 67.63%; bread or baked goods, 60.43%; beverages, 53.24%; canned or bottled goods, 44.60%; and chocolate/sweets, 43.17%, according to the data.
The market’s estimated overall economic impact downtown was $1.5 million, the report said. Patrons spent an average of $67 downtown each time they visited.
Sixty-five percent of those who shopped at the market also did other things downtown, which is part of the impetus behind the market, Fukala said. It gets people downtown and in the habit of coming downtown, which has an important financial impact for downtown businesses, she said.
Maria Ramirez, manager of Meraki Market Hub at 66 S. Grove Ave., said she’s observed firsthand how the market benefits helps generate more local sales.
“Friday is usually our busiest day. (The farmers market) brings in a variety of new customers,” she said.
Meraki owners Jose and Audrey Lintag opened their store in 2019 after first selling their goods at different farmers’ markets and craft fairs, Ramirez said. Their store is open later Fridays to coincide with the market’s hours.
Ramirez is a fan of the market as well.
“I love it,” she said. “I think it’s really cool that we have something like that going on in Elgin.”
Applications for vendors are now being accepted, and the new season will feature more entertainment and children’s activities, organizers said.
DNA also is launching a spring campaign, Everything Elgin Days, starting April 21. Everything Elgin Days includes a sales of gift certificates that will be accepted at more than 35 downtown businesses.
It will also include a pop-up market, trade show and fashion show from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 29, at The Ashbury, 1 Douglas Ave. Details are available at www.downtownelgin.com/everything-elgin-days.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
