Grand Opening of Elmhurst Farmers Market Draws a Crowd

Elmhurst Farmers Market celebrated its official grand opening Wednesday morning. 

Mayor Pete DiCianni stopped by and took a look at the variety of fresh vegetables, fruits and breads, as Elmhurst resident Kevin Connell handed him a sample of fresh-frozen berries from Roedger Brothers Blueberries.

This was the first time DiCianni had visited this summer, but he said his wife, Rose, is a regular at the market, held each Wednesday during the summer just east of York and Vallette streets. 

“In fact,” said the mayor, “Rose was here earlier [this morning].”

It will be Mrs. DiCianni cooking up the ingredients, too, he said.

“My wife does the cooking,” he said, laughing. “Absolutely. I cook on Sundays. But I’ve got about two dishes down, so I can’t cook every day, otherwise they’d be very bored.”

also stopped in to gather fresh produce for her latest creation. After stopping to chat with Carol Tarczynski of Nichol's Farm and Orchard, she was headed home to make cold cucumber soup, and spinach, strawberry and hearts of palm salad with toasted pecans.

“Oh, and I’d better get some kettle corn, or I’m going to have a kid riot on my hands,” she joked. “They didn’t get it last week, and they were angry.”

This is the first year Adam Krzemkowski, owner of Southtown Hot Dogs for the past eight years, has organized the Elmhurst Farmers Market.

“We have more parking,” he said, explaining that the more condensed layout of booths frees up more parking spaces. “Parking is a necessity for a flourishing market.”

Krzemkowski said the market has added five new vendors and is being more widely advertised this year. It's also brandishing a new logo. Every fourth Wednesday, Moon Jumps 4 U will provide an inflatable bounce house for children. The moon jump is sponsored by PNC Bank of Elmhurst.

The grand opening celebration originally was scheduled for last Wednesday, June 22, but strong storms and high winds that downed nearly 400 trees the night before forced the postponement.