Farmers markets return, area grocer changes hands, visitor’s guide features Southland sites
Just like the spring flowers that have been blooming, farmer’s markets are popping up again across the south suburbs.
One of the first of the season began last month in Frankfort. The Frankfort Country Market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday until the end of October, with no markets on July 10 and Sept. 4.
The market is in historic downtown Frankfort and features locally grown produce, plants, baked goods, prepared foods and gourmet products.
Also open is the Evergreen Park farmer’s market, which kicked off Thursday at Yukich Field at 89th Street and Kedzie Avenue. The market is open every Thursday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will run into the fall.
The annual Palos Heights farmer’s market returned this week to the municipal parking lot at 12217 S. Harlem Ave. The market runs every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will continue through the first week of October.
Coming soon will be the Tinley Park farmer’s market, which runs from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday mornings from June to October in Zabrocki Plaza, next to the Metra Station on Oak Park Avenue. The market features fruits, vegetables and fresh flowers.
Orland Park’s Market at the Park will kick off on Thursdays starting June 2 and run through August 18, with no markets June 30 or Aug. 4. The Market is open from 4-8 p.m. at Crescent Park, 143rd Street and Ravinia Avenue.
The Market will feature a variety of foods including ready-to-eat and specialty, gardening, artisanal and handmade crafts, and free entertainment.
New this year will be a farmer’s market in Hickory Hills sponsored by the city and the Hills Chamber of Commerce.
The market will run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays from June 3 to Oct. 14 at 8652 W. 95th St. in the Hickory Hills City Hall parking lot.
Oak Lawn decided not to sponsor its annual farmer’s market this year, but Ridgeland Church has started its own called The Market on Ridgeland at 6343 W. 90th Place.
The market is the brainchild of Pastor Jared Richey and will run from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays in the church parking lot.
Apollo Funds acquire Tony’s Fresh Market
Tony’s Fresh Market, a family-owned grocery retailer with area locations in Bridgeview, Burbank and Countryside, has been acquired by New York-based Apollo Funds.
Apollo announced the takeover in April.
Tony’s was established in 1979 by Italian immigrants Tony Ingraffia and Domenico Gambino.
The original location in Chicago on Fullerton Avenue and Central Park, which still exists, was opened with only five employees: one produce employee, two meat employees, one cashier, and Tony running around the store like a man on a mission. For that first decade in business, Tony and Domenico typically worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week just to try and make a few bucks at the end of the year.
Today, Tony’s operates 18 stores and another is coming soon to a former Kmart in Joliet. The chain has a history of taking vacant stores and repurposing them. It did just that with a former Food 4 Less at 7770 S. Cicero Ave. in Burbank when it opened two years ago.
Tony’s offers a large selection of fresh produce, extensive multicultural offerings and a wide range of prepared foods. The stores have meat departments, delis and bakeries.
Convention bureau unveils visitors guide
The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau has released its 2022 Chicago Southland Visitors Guide.
“Our marketing team and community partners have done another magnificent job putting these incredibly valuable tools together,” said Jim Garrett, the organization’s president and CEO.
The guide features information on things to see and do, arts and culture, accommodations, dining, shopping, transportation and other visitor amenities in Chicago’s 62 south and southwest suburbs. Other items of interest include free family-friendly activities, “Hit The Road” and “Hangout Spots” tailored to meet specific group needs, “Supernatural Sites” highlighting the areas spookiest locations, “Pawesome” adventures where fourlegged friends are welcome and all the places in the Chicago Southland to golf with your discs or sticks.
With 476 event listings, there is no shortage of things to see and do in the Chicago Southland Spring/ Summer Festivals & Events Guide. Celebrate Flossmoor’s ZIP code Day in the 60422 on 6-04-22 or boogie down on the lawn Wednesday nights at Fox Pointe in Lansing. Orland Hills Party in the Park (June 24-26) has something for everyone as does Frankfort Fall
Fest in historic downtown Frankfort (Sept. 3-5). Will County Fairgrounds will feature Peotone’s first ever Hot Air Balloon Festival on July 23-24. Plus find the best places to celebrate the 4th of July and where nine Chicago Southland Farmers Markets are located.
The new look CSCVB website features more prominently displayed user-generated content, more photos and less copy, plus the ability to plan a trip right from the homepage at https://www.VisitChicagoSouthland.com.
Copies of both guides can be picked up at the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis Visitor Information Center in South Holland or can be requested at VisitChicagoSouthland.com/InfoRequest or 708-895-8200 or Info@VisitChicagoSouthland.com.