Latest news with #DowntownElginMarket
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Elgin's DNA hoping $100,000 grant will help pop-up vendors become downtown store owners
The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin is creating a new business incubator program with a $100,000 grant from Main Street America. The nonprofit is one of three organizations nationally to receive the Small Business Accelerator Grant funded by The Hartford in partnership with Main Street America, DNA Executive Director Jennifer Fukala said. There are 150 vendors who operate pop-up businesses as part of DNA's weekly Downtown Elgin Market on the Riverside Drive Promenade, which opens for the season this Friday. They could all be potential candidates for the incubator program, Fukala said. 'We see an opportunity to develop a program to help them become full-time brick-and-mortar businesses,' she said. 'We've had some businesses make the jump, and we know it's a big jump. This program is going to help businesses be better prepared to do that.' DNA plans to have a 1,000-square-foot retail storefront and production space for eight to 12 businesses, which will revolve between businesses as owners work toward opening their own location, she said. Expected to open this winter, the space will be downtown in a location yet to be determined, Fukala said. Under the program, already-established small business owners will serve as part of a cohort to provide support and advice, including one component focused just on business development, she said. Ultimately, the goal is to help grow more retail businesses in the downtown district and set them up so they can thrive, Fukala said. DNA is a member of the Illinois Main Street program, and just became nationally accredited by Main Street America. With The Hartford being one of Main Street America's major sponsors, the local organization could eligible for additional funding in the future, Fukala said. Downtown is evolving, DNA Board President Brian Piñon told the Elgin City Council at a recent meeting where the grant was announced. 'We have over a dozen properties under renovation. We have seen properties change hands that haven't changed hands in decades to new property owners that are really investing in our community,' Piñon said. 'This grant represents a national recognition that our downtown has value. (The Hartford and Main Street are) investing in us because our downtown matters,' he said. '(Downtown is) really the heart of our community, and it's where we come together, where we go to see each other. It's kind of our communal living room. It's what DNA has been working hard to create.' The Downtown Elgin Market is one of the big attractions, drawing more than 22,000 visitors last year, according the DNA's annual report. Survey numbers indicate that 56% of those who went to the market also participated in other downtown activities, the report said. This year the market will open two weeks earlier than normal. Held from 3 to 7 p.m. every Friday through Oct. 10, the first day Friday will include a ribbon-cutting with Mayor Dave Kaptain at 3:30 p.m. 'Every year we are looking at how to dial it further or try different things,' Fukala said. 'There are some markets that have already started. We thought we would give it a try.' First Friday market days — with extended hours to 8 p.m. — will be held this Friday as well as June 6 and Aug. 1. It will be open from 3 to 8 p.m. on those days. Food trucks, chef demonstrations, live entertainment and educational programming from community partners are some of the activities offered.
Chicago Tribune
30-06-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Elgin News Digest: No Elgin market, West Dundee French Market on July 4; local police agencies beefing up Independence Day patrols
Because of the holiday, the Downtown Elgin Market and the French Market in West Dundee won't be held on Friday, July 4. Elgin's outdoor market will not operate that day because there are too many other activities going on downtown, including a parade, food trucks, live music and a fireworks show, said Jennifer Fukala, executive director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association. Both weekly seasonal markets will return to their regular hours on Friday, July 11. The holiday will not affect The Depot Market in downtown East Dundee, which will take place as scheduled on Saturday, July 5, Depot attendant Mark Feck said. Law enforcement agencies across Kane County are increasing patrols for the Fourth of July holiday and cracking down on people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The Kane County state's attorney's office will be working with police agencies on an anti-DUI 'no-refusal' operation, which will start at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 4, and end at 2 a.m. Saturday, July 5, according to a news release. Assistant state's attorneys will assist police in obtaining search warrants to conduct blood, breath or urine tests on people who are stopped on suspicion of drunken driving and refuse to submit to testing as required by Illinois law, the release said. Someone who continues to refuse testing even with a search warrant being issued should expect to face additional charges, officials said. Additionally, Carpentersville and Elgin police are conducting a safety campaigns through Monday, July 7, focused on impaired and unbuckled drivers. Admission on Friday, July 4, will be $4 per person at the Dolphin Cove Family Aquatic Center, 300 N. Kennedy Drive/Route 25, Carpentersville. The rate applies to residents and nonresidents, according to a Dundee Township Park District social media post. Daily admission rates are usually $10 residents/$13 nonresidents for ages 3 to 9; $11 residents/$14 nonresidents for ages 10 to 61; and $9 residents/$12 nonresidents for anyone 62 or older. Children 2 or younger are admitted for free. The aquatic center's July 4 hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, go to Paul's Family Restaurant in Elgin will host its third annual car show from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 5, in its parking lot at 1300 Lawrence Ave. The show is open to all years and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles, according to a social media post. Registration is $15 and runs from 10 a.m. to noon. The cars are free to view, and the restaurant will be open for business. The rainout date is Sunday, July 6. For more information, call JP Car Shows, 847-275-8290.
Chicago Tribune
21-03-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Bensidoun USA bringing new weekly French Market to downtown West Dundee
Oh là là! Mesdames et messieurs, a French Market is coming to West Dundee. The weekly summer event, which won the backing of the West Dundee Village Board this week, will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Fridays between May 23 and Aug. 22 near the renovated Pump House in the downtown district. Bensidoun USA presents about a dozen such markets in the metro area every summer, including locations in downtown Chicago, Geneva, Wilmette, Wheaton, Barrington and Elmhurst. 'It's the only market being offered in the Chicago area on Friday by Bensidoun USA,' said Maureen Himmel, a member of the village's events committee. Trustees Cheryl Anderley and Dan Wilbrandt formed the events committee, which also includes residents Kate Grimaldi, David Haas, Sam Rosenberg and Adriana Soleim and Community Development Director Tom Moszczynski, in April. When it sent out a community survey asking residents what they would like to see in town, the top request was a farmers market, which was cited by 78% of responents. From there, Himmel reached out to Bensidoun USA. 'Bensidoun French Market has 60 years of experience in the Chicago and New York metro areas. Their professionalism and market offering is unmatched,' Haas said. Bensidoun will manage the market and earn fees from the vendors, whom they procure. The only thing the village needs to provide — pavement anchors for booths — are already in place, Haas and Soleim noted. The market provides the booths and French-style canopies and has crews that put up take down barricades. Haas said 18 to 24 vendors are expected, and will be providing a variety of products and merchandise, including honey, olive oils, plants, produce, baked goods, jewelry and crafts. Spots will be available for other types of businesses and nonprofit organizations as well. Spaces at the market will cost $40 and up per Friday, Soleim said, with discounts made available to businesses based in West Dundee. Buskers and family-friendly entertainment will be welcome too, Himmel said. The market also will tie into the village's the 'Final Friday' concert series held outside the Pump House. The first, a performance by the funk/soul/rock band Local Motive, is scheduled for May 30, Haas said. Committee members are also planning a garlic fest for the last Friday in August. The market will be held on the same day as the Downtown Elgin Market, which is presented every Friday from June through October and is located less than six miles from where the West Dundee French Market will take place. 'I've been to the Elgin market and love it. There's a city vibe in Elgin,' Soleim said. 'What will make us different will be the European style provided by a company that began in France and that's been in the Chicago suburbs at least since 1997, when it held (its first) market in Wheaton. They have a large Rolodex of vendors that they work with.' Haas and Soleim see the market as a way to bring village residents together while drawing visitors from elsewhere who can also check out the town's businesses, restaurants and other attractions. 'We'll be extending the hospitality of West Dundee,' Haas said.
