Wheeler Mansion Market | Market watch

Following the lead of other markets around town, the new Wheeler Mansion farmers’ market is not just a place to pick up some lettuce—it’s an actual happening. In one corner of the historic hotel grounds, a country band croons; in another, the hotel hawks burgers and glasses of wine. The rest of the market is made up of about 30 vendors selling edibles (and non) such as honey (Hannah Bee Honey), bread (Crumb), coffee (Grinderman), Flowers (Chicago Blossom), jewelry (Juliet Jewelry) and furniture (Brimfield). (There’s even, believe it or not, a couple of stands that sell fruits and vegetables.) “The South Loop community has been wanting a farmers’ market for years,” says the Mansion’s Stephanie Lu Jokich. But what the hotel decided to give the community is more like a farmers’ mall. The Wheeler Mansion market (2020 S Calumet Ave) runs Wednesdays from 4–8pm through Oct 31.