Posted 5 years ago in Loop List
2 MIN READ - The Chicago Riverwalk officially opened on May 13, and improvements to its east end continue to progress, but fans of the pathway along the river have even more to look forward to starting in June: a community market.
The market will feature nine women- and minority-owned business vendors, most of which hold six-month contracts for small kiosks located on what used to be a ramp between Wabash and Michigan avenues.
Neighborly and Shop Small Chicago are retailers that will sell products from local artisans; Lincoln Park’s Batter and Berries will offer soul food; Logan Square’s Chiya Chai will sell chai tea, dumplings, and curry pies; Pilsen’s Luxury Cakes will have desserts; catering company Twisted Eggroll will stock their eggrolls with a twist, stuffed with things like pizza or cheesesteak; and East Garfield Park’s Justice of the Pies will sling sweet pies and quiches. Gordo’s Homemade Ice Cream, which has locations in Edgewater and the South Loop, will sell ice cream via a mobile cart all along the Riverwalk.
In addition to those eight vendors with short-term contracts, Lakeview’s Beat Kitchen has a three-year lease on a 1,300-square-foot space under the staircase of the Michigan Avenue bridge.
The community market is meant to add vibrancy to the under-construction east end of the Riverwalk, extending the energy found near businesses like City Winery. It also serves to make tourists aware of businesses in Chicago’s neighborhoods—neighborhoods they may not have otherwise considered visiting during their trip.
Community Market Vendors
Daily between 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. through the fall of 2019
Shop Small Chicago
Representing the makers and artisans from multiple Communities of Chicago.
Visit us at shopsmallchicago.com
Shop Small Chicago on the Chicago Riverwalk welcomes visitors to shop accessories, apparel, and home decor designed by Chicago's most unique brands. The highly-curated kiosk includes quality products developed by local artists and designers in studios located across the city's neighborhoods. New artists, brands, and products will be featured throughout the season. If you are a Chicago-based creative business and would like to partner with Shop Small, the Call for Chicago brands is open through the season.
Neighborly
Representing the Wicker Park community of Chicago.
1909 W. Division St
Neighborly is an ethically-sourced home, art, and gift boutique, also offering a large collection of Chicago-themed products. It just recently relocated to the Wicker Park neighborhood from Ravenswood. True to its name, Neighborly is woven into the artisan community in Chicago, sourcing products from over 60 local craftspeople, like ceramicists, woodworkers, and printmakers, as well as using local manufacturers to make its own line of Chicago-themed products. The style of products found at Neighborly follows the principles of the Midcentury Modern era, in step with the Modern style that permeates Chicago architecture unlike any other city.
Batter and Berries
Representing the Lincoln Park community of Chicago.
2748 N. Lincoln Avenue
Established in 2012 by Dr. Tanya and Craig Richardson, who had a desire to add an eclectic, world-class restaurant to the vibrant Chicago brunch scene. The idea was simple: offer the freshest food possible with flavors that people would come from all over the world to experience and want to come back for more. Always a supporter of community and local businesses, Batter and Berries have taken the idea to the next level with cultivated partnerships. They've collaborated with several local artisans, craftspeople, and purveyors to provide a uniquely Chicago dining experience.
Justice of the Pies
Representing the West Garfield Park community of Chicago.
Justice of the Pies is a bakery that specializes in sweet and savory pies, quiches and tarts. The company was founded in 2014 in honor of Maya-Camille’s Dad, Steve Broussard. The elder was a criminal defense attorney with a hobby for baking pies. Justice of the Pies was created to celebrate his love of pies and to honor his belief that people deserve second chances.
Based out of the East Garfield neighborhood, Justice of the Pies activates workshops crafted for youths residing in lower-income neighborhoods that are impacted by a lack of access to healthy food choices. The “I KNEAD LOVE WORKSHOP” provides culinary instruction, nutritional development, and allows the kids to exercise their creative muscles in the kitchen.
At the Chicago Riverwalk Marketplace, Justice of the Pies offers savory pot pies, seasonal quiches, and an array of sweet pies.
Chiya Chai Cafe
Representing the Logan Square community of Chicago.
2770 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Chiya Chai is a unique chai-focused café located in the vibrant Logan Square neighborhood. With more than 150 different combinations of Chai, Chiya Chai has one of the most expansive Chai menus in the entire world. Along with Chai, Chiya Chai offers ethically-sourced delicious food that comes from countries closely associated with the history and culture of chai such as savory pies from Great Britain, curry, and other dishes from India and dumplings from China and Nepal, where the owners are from. As a community marketplace participant on the Riverwalk, Chiya Chai will offer a sampling of its menu including some of its most popular Chai flavors, curry bowls, curry tacos, and savory pies. Chiya Chai’s presence on the Riverwalk will provide Riverwalk visitors with a taste of Chicago’s diverse culture and neighborhood businesses.
Twister Eggroll
Representing the Hyde Park community of Chicago.
Twisted Eggroll is a catering service that approaches the thought of the traditional eggroll with an infused spin; with options such as Philly steak, buffalo chicken, and apple cheesecake. Chicago is known for its food, and this is a tasty, fun, and new concept that will have Chicago buzzing. Twisted Eggroll understands that the purpose of the Chicago Riverwalk is to integrate small businesses into the community and amicably grow together, supporting a diverse and inclusive Chicago community. Curiosity is a driving force. Whether their concept sounds weird or amazing, Twister Eggroll is sure to leave you intrigued; so head down to check out our flavor of the month.
Gordo's Homemade Ice Cream
Representing the Edgewater and Printers Row communities of Chicago.
1120 W. Granville and 729 S. Dearborn
Gordo's Homemade Ice Cream Bars is Chicago, born and bred. Handcrafted in small batches every day in the store, located only blocks from the Riverwalk, each Gordo's Bar nods to Chicago's rich Hispanic heritage and tradition of paleta carts. Gordo's motto of "Pick. Dip. Sprinkle." is on display every day on the Riverwalk, where they feature their bestselling bars, featuring vegan-friendly Horchata bars, as well as favorites such as Oreo, Mint Chip, Dark Chocolate, and many others. Gordo's is a neighborhood ice cream/paleta shop, LGBTQ and family-owned, proud to be representing Chicago on the Riverwalk.
Beat Kitchen on the Riverwalk
Representing the Roscoe Village community of Chicago.
2100 W. Belmont
Set to open for business by late August, Beat Kitchen will neighbor the Marketplace. Guests will be able to visit Beat Kitchen beside the Bridgehouse museum to enjoy refreshing drinks and delicious food, including tacos, pizzas, bacon mac 'n' cheese, guac and chips, and more. During the summer, second Tuesday on the Chicago Riverwalk, Beat Kitchen on the Riverwalk will be activating the Jetty with an abridged menu. Operating daily from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., treat yourself to a drink and a bite to eat at our idyllic riverfront location where you can experience Art on the Mart, the largest digital art projection in the world.
