Village Revives Farmers Market

Whether you're in search of Wisconsin cheese, farm-fresh vegetables or are seeking some weekend entertainment, chances are you'll find it at Buffalo Grove's farmers market.

The market draws an estimated 200 weekly shoppers in search of fresh produce and a variety of other goods. Products from 27 vendors include homemade dog biscuits from Buffalo Grove-based Daisy's Delights, freshly made donuts from Wauconda-based Jimmy's Bag O' Donuts and an assortment of other products and services, including flowers, breads and knife sharpening.

"We didn't want too many of the same [type of vendor]," said Buffalo Grove resident Paulette Greenberg, a volunteer who runs the market. "That's what we've been complimented on, the variety."

Turnout is strong, especially considering promotions have mainly been through word-of-mouth and flyers and banners around town.

"I think at first people just kind of happened upon the market," said Megan Hatch, a Buffalo Grove resident who volunteered to help promote the market through a Facebook fan page, which has drawn more than 270 followers. Since the market kicked off in late June, "I've seen a lot of return shoppers," she said.

"I think there might be people who stay back because they think it will be more expensive than the grocery store," Hatch said. The farmers market offers shoppers the chance to purchase "fresh produce and talk with the people who grow it," she said.

"I think people are really happy with the selection," she added. "We don't have 10 people selling tomatoes."

Buffalo Grove resident Jenny Brandon said she shops at the farmers market every week. At the last market, she purchased cheese curds and a variety of fresh produce.

"I got everything I need to make a broccoli salad," she said.

But it's more than the homegrown vegetables that keep her coming back. The market, she said, gives Buffalo Grove "more of a community feeling."

"We don't really have a town center," she said. At the farmers market, "you see people you know."

Meanwhile, resident Anita Wrzesinski was at the market for the very first time. She said she went to get her knives sharpened, and in addition to sharp blades, went home with a bag filled with cheese, corn and peaches.

Jim Bianca, owner of Jimmy's Bag O' Donuts, said he's been impressed by the turnout. He said he sells 100 to 150 dozen mini donuts, which are made on the spot, on any given Sunday.

"For a rookie market, it's a great turnout," Bianca said.

It was the expectation of the farmers market's success that prompted Amanda Nells and her husband, Dave, to bring their knife-sharpening business to the village.

"When they said they were going to have a Buffalo Grove farmers market, and it's on [Route] 83, I knew it had huge potentional," Amanda Nells said. They had originally planned to offer knife-shapening services at just a handful of the village's markets, but once they assessed the market's popularity, they decided to return each week so that a competitor wouldn't take their place.

The move was a wise one, said Nells, whose service is in such high demand that she usually stops accepting dull knives by 10am, so that she can make her way through the pile of orders by the time the market closes at 12:30pm.

Nima Namadar's sees a similar demand for the PomOlive Mediterranean spreads made by his pastry chef wife, Leila. "They love this stuff," he said, adding that he's already planning to return to the market next summer.

"People come every week to get their stuff. I get a good energy from the market," he said.

In addition to plenty of shopping opportunities, the market is a source of entertainment for all ages. On Aug. 29, children crowded around a booth, waiting to get balloon animals, while adults found their milieu at a performance by Buffalo Grove-based band Sheryl and Tom, which covered songs to the likes of Simon and Garfunkel.

Entertainment varies each week, with attractions ranging from face painting to baton twirling. Beginning Sept. 12, the market will host informal, weekly jam sessions from 10 a.m. to noon.

The farmers market, which was canceled last week to make way for the park district's Buffalo Grove Stampede, resumes Sunday.

It will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sundays through Oct. 24 at the Buffalo Grove Park District's Spray 'n Play, 951 McHenry Road. For more information, or to apply for a vendor booth, visit http://www.vbg.org/index.aspx?nid=619