I think one of the most transformable buildings in Elgin is the Haight Building located at 166 Symphony Way. Owned by long time Elgin family, the Haight's, this building has been the home for a variety of events. I, myself, have been there for a private party, staging for the Community Carnival Fundraiser, the Next Wave Art Salon, and it is the current home for the Elgin Winter Market (www.localharvest.org/winter-market-elgin).
The Elgin Winter Market, which runs every Saturday, 8am – 2pm, until March 31, 2012, is an indoor European styled market that offers the Elgin area an incredible opportunity to buy locally grown vegetables and herbs, fresh soups, meats, breads, sweets, gourmet treats, unique handcrafts and much more...all winter long! I have been there a couple of times (I know a good thing when I see it...and experience it!), and I have been able to pick up the fresh produce, meats, breads and dessert – can't forget dessert – to make a full-course, fresh and fabulous lunch for my family on a cold winter-like day! And next time, if I don't feel like cooking...no worries...local Elgin restaurant, In the Neighborhood Deli (ITNDeli.com) mixes up a choice of delicious hearty soups - made daily - to warm you up on a cold blustery day!
And speaking of the vendors – here's a short list, in addition to ITNDeli, you can expect to see...Gramp's Gourmet Foods from Scales Mound, IL who brings us items such as their flavorsome varieties of both sweet and dill pickles, hot mustard and Gramp's "signature" drink, "Apple-Pie-In-A-Jar". Or visit the Rivendell Alpaca booth, coming to us from Dittman Road in Elgin, to purchase some handcrafted Alpaca fleece mittens or slippers. Then you need to stop by the Breadsmith, and pick up some freshly made breads that taste like they just came out of the oven (probably not far from it!) And if you would like a unique reusable and recycled t-shirt grocery bag to carry all your goodies in, stop by TMI T's. They also have old Elgin Watch jewelry, Wisconsin Organic Wild Rice and obviously distinctive ready-made or made-to-order t-shirts. Add to these fine vendors, a plethora of other merchants who bring us fresh meats, herbs, jewels, pet food, knife sharpening, back adjusting, and much much more!
Many of these purveyors, are local "Mom and Pop" businesses looking for a home and downtown Elgin can provide this. This market offers them the "store front" which will sustain their business while they bring their goodness to the Elgin area. Also being offered, are weekly specials or promotions. Currently you can enter to win $20 worth of Elgin Winter Market bucks by texting EWM to 72727. Watch for more specials on the Winter Market's Facebook page.
The organizers of this fabulous marketplace actually had bigger goals than just offering the community a local destination to acquire fresh produce and such during the winter months. These local visionaries would like to "sustain local producers, to improve the variety, freshness and taste value of the produce available in the Elgin area during the winter months and to provide an activity that fosters social gathering and interaction", according to the Elgin Winter Market's Facebook page. After my experiences, all I can say is check, check, check...all covered! I not only picked up lots of goodies, but I ran into many friends, made new ones, and I learned a lot from talking to the many vendors about shopping local! Mark the Elgin Winter Market on your Saturday "to-do" list – it's a one-stop shop for the week's meals and – at this time of year - for a unique Christmas gift for that special someone!
I think one of the most transformable buildings in Elgin is the Haight Building located at 166 Symphony Way. Owned by long time Elgin family, the Haight's, this building has been the home for a variety of events. I, myself, have been there for a private party, staging for the Community Carnival Fundraiser, the Next Wave Art Salon, and it is the current home for the Elgin Winter Market (www.localharvest.org/winter-market-elgin).
The Elgin Winter Market, which runs every Saturday, 8am – 2pm, until March 31, 2012, is an indoor European styled market that offers the Elgin area an incredible opportunity to buy locally grown vegetables and herbs, fresh soups, meats, breads, sweets, gourmet treats, unique handcrafts and much more...all winter long! I have been there a couple of times (I know a good thing when I see it...and experience it!), and I have been able to pick up the fresh produce, meats, breads and dessert – can't forget dessert – to make a full-course, fresh and fabulous lunch for my family on a cold winter-like day! And next time, if I don't feel like cooking...no worries...local Elgin restaurant, In the Neighborhood Deli (ITNDeli.com) mixes up a choice of delicious hearty soups - made daily - to warm you up on a cold blustery day!
And speaking of the vendors – here's a short list, in addition to ITNDeli, you can expect to see...Gramp's Gourmet Foods from Scales Mound, IL who brings us items such as their flavorsome varieties of both sweet and dill pickles, hot mustard and Gramp's "signature" drink, "Apple-Pie-In-A-Jar". Or visit the Rivendell Alpaca booth, coming to us from Dittman Road in Elgin, to purchase some handcrafted Alpaca fleece mittens or slippers. Then you need to stop by the Breadsmith, and pick up some freshly made breads that taste like they just came out of the oven (probably not far from it!) And if you would like a unique reusable and recycled t-shirt grocery bag to carry all your goodies in, stop by TMI T's. They also have old Elgin Watch jewelry, Wisconsin Organic Wild Rice and obviously distinctive ready-made or made-to-order t-shirts. Add to these fine vendors, a plethora of other merchants who bring us fresh meats, herbs, jewels, pet food, knife sharpening, back adjusting, and much much more!
Many of these purveyors, are local "Mom and Pop" businesses looking for a home and downtown Elgin can provide this. This market offers them the "store front" which will sustain their business while they bring their goodness to the Elgin area. Also being offered, are weekly specials or promotions. Currently you can enter to win $20 worth of Elgin Winter Market bucks by texting EWM to 72727. Watch for more specials on the Winter Market's Facebook page.
The organizers of this fabulous marketplace actually had bigger goals than just offering the community a local destination to acquire fresh produce and such during the winter months. These local visionaries would like to "sustain local producers, to improve the variety, freshness and taste value of the produce available in the Elgin area during the winter months and to provide an activity that fosters social gathering and interaction", according to the Elgin Winter Market's Facebook page. After my experiences, all I can say is check, check, check...all covered! I not only picked up lots of goodies, but I ran into many friends, made new ones, and I learned a lot from talking to the many vendors about shopping local! Mark the Elgin Winter Market on your Saturday "to-do" list – it's a one-stop shop for the week's meals and – at this time of year - for a unique Christmas gift for that special someone!
