Category > Market Watch
Market # 4 already? No way. It seems like just yesterday we were bundled up and hoping for a few greens and asparagus. The recent rains have washed away and It looks like we're going to have some decent weather — warm and partly sunny — so make sure you add the market to your schedule, because you're not going to want to miss all of this:
Market weeks number three is upon us, and with it comes some fussy spring weather. Yeah, it might rain, but keep in mind that if folks in the Pacific Northwest just put on their rain gear and head out to their markets — we can too! Not much has changed in terms of produce availability; the wet weather is hampering both planting and harvesting, but even so, there'll be plenty to choose from still: asparagus salad mix bok choi …
Welcome to the Market Watch, Smile Politely's weekly rundown of what to expect at the Saturday morning Market at the Square in downtown Champaign at Lincoln Square Mall in downtown Urbana. This week finds us exploring some new territory, and if you look carefully, you just might see something new along the booths on the north side of the square. That's right — the staff of Smile Politely will be out in full force this week, and we'd love …
Welcome back, friends! Like last year, we'll be bringing you a weekly rundown of what to look for at the Market each Saturday. This year's format will be a touch different, but with Alisa makin' all that cheese, it's just the way it's gonna be. Let's get to it! Various weather forecasts are pointing to either wet and cool or cloudy and cool conditions for the first Market of the year, so bring your umbrellas and galoshes. Who knows? …
The weather we’ve been having has been crazy beautiful and last Saturday at the Market was no exception. Everyone must assume the Market is finished for the year because the crowds were unusually thin. Perhaps everyone was tailgating. Either way, Champaign-Urbana residents don’t know what they’re missing this time of year. Colorful carrots, outstanding squash and pumpkin, apples, broccoli and cauliflower, fennel, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, leeks, herbs, celery, etc. I could go on and on. Did I mention …
With only two markets left in the season, anxiety is in the air. Local food enthusiasts are feeling sad, pessimistic and slightly paranoid, wondering when we in Illinois will join the fortunate of being able to eat fresh, local and sustainable year round. For the time being, at least through Christmas, we can get by with the Holiday Market sponsored by the Urbana Business Association inside Lincoln Square Mall. The holiday market picks up where Market at the Square …
Not much to report on the Market this week and with only three weeks left, things are definitely winding down. Several of the vendors have left for the season and the Market has been consolidated down to just four rows. Last Saturday was really chilly, and the first two hours of the Market were pretty slow. Yet, things picked up around 9:30 a.m. as the Sprouts at the Market got underway trick-or-treating for fresh produce. The kids were really …
The cooler weather we are expecting this weekend is just perfect for cooking a comfort meal with ingredients from the farmers market. Our local farmers have all the necessities, including what may be the last chance to get your hands on a fair amount of tomatoes, beans and summer squash. Ed Keiser, my favorite meteorologist at WILL, is predicting the first chance of frost this weekend, which is sure to spur the end of the summer bounty. All this …
The Market at the Square has really slimmed down on vendors lately but that doesn’t mean it isn’t hopping with activity. Our favorite farmers are now well into fall harvest with loads of incredible produce, including a wide array of winter squash, cauliflowers, turnips, broccolis, fennel, apples and more. The pumpkins and gourds are showing up and I’m telling you this is the time of year to start cooking — a lot. It is fairly simple to transform pumpkins …
With only five Markets left this year, it couldn’t be a better season or weekend to visit the corner of Illinois and Vine streets in Urbana. With perfect weather in the forecast and probably one of your last chances to get summer’s finest fruits and vegetables including heirloom tomatoes, beans, watermelon, corn and peaches, it would be a shame to let another Saturday morning pass you by. As always there is sure to be plenty of salad greens, basil, …
Most Recent Food Comments
it’s quite choice. looking forward to seeing how it and its patronage grow and develop over the course of the year. could be a neat little ecosystem.
“It was at this point, before he started his business, that working with city employees should’ve raised red flags…” But they didn’t because: 1) The City Clerk’s office originally mis-interpreted the rules, or are indeed re-interpreting them. 2) Champaign’s brick-n-mortar merchants hadn’t yet started whining about The Crave Truck.
Looking forward to trying this place!
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
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Most Recent Comments
High-profile whining. AKA Lobbying.
it’s quite choice. looking forward to seeing how it and its patronage grow and develop over the course of the year. could be a neat little ecosystem.
“It was at this point, before he started his business, that working with city employees should’ve raised red flags…” But they didn’t because: 1) The City Clerk’s office originally mis-interpreted the rules, or are indeed re-interpreting them. 2) Champaign’s brick-n-mortar merchants hadn’t yet started whining about The Crave Truck.
Super cool! Excellent track, Excellent band.
Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
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High-profile whining. AKA Lobbying.