By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Wood, glass, fiber and metal. What do each of these elements have in common?
Opening this Thursday, the Niles Bensidoun French Market is the place to be. This year the popular market will be opened both Thursdays and Saturdays.
Saturday markets will feature one of the four elements from its artisans each week.
"This way we get to offer the residents of Niles and visitors to the new Saturday market, something new each week. It allows us to have a wider variety of vendors and they only have to commit to being at the market five Saturdays throughout the summer. It is a win-win-win situation," Lisa Croteau, market master, said.
Croteau is excited about this, the second year of the market. In answer to a survey filled out by consumers following last year's market, changes have been made.
"The two things most often mentioned as what the consumers thought would improve our market were to open earlier and open on Saturdays. We have responded to both those requests. Hours for both Thursday and Saturday will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.," Croteau said.
Fashioned after a European-style open-air market, Niles and area vendors showcase their finest fruits, vegetables, flowers, candles, handcrafted jewelry, artwork, pottery, handmade soaps and lotions, fresh breads and pastries.
The partnership with Bensidoun markets has proved to be an excellent one in more ways than one, Croteau said. Later this year not only the market, but also Niles as a whole will be on display within Chicago's South Shore Metro train station.
"Bensidoun is building an indoor market at the station and will have a display on Niles and its market here. Located at the opposite end of Union Station, the traffic exposure is phenomenal. We could not buy that kind of publicity," she said.
Croteau said that average estimates to establish a firm base for a farm market is said to be three to five years. In only its second year, she feels that Niles is well on its way.
"We are not in competition with places like the large Elkhart (Ind.) market. That is a daylong trip. Here we offer the kind of market people can stroll through, pick up what they want and be home in less than an hour if they wish. Of course we are beginning to see a lot more of the traffic drifting uptown to see what the Main Street business have to offer also," Croteau said.
She said the market is an opportunity to show the community to residents and visitors alike in a different light. Thirty percent of the vendors already have businesses downtown.
Many of the vendors from last year's market consigned with downtown merchants to carry their goods throughout the winter.
"This is definitely a win-win situation. We will have many new surprises to offer through the season. This is a market unlike any other," she said.
The market runs through Oct. 6 and the featured elements for Saturdays will rotate, beginning with wood creations featured, this Saturday, May 26.