Downtown market stays put in Roselle

A European-style outdoor market will continue to operate in Roselle's downtown this summer.

The Roselle village board approved a license agreement Monday with Roselle residents Julie Puntch and Amy Reuter, who have been running the market for the past two years.

The village board had considered seeking proposals from a French market managed by a company with corporate roots in Paris and one from another resident for a "hybrid" between what has existed and a local harvest market. But Puntch and Reuter's proposal came in on time and the village board appeared to like it.

Some discussion also focused on whether or not to keep the market downtown.

For the past two years, the outdoor summer market has occupied Main Street, between Prospect Street and Roselle Road. Village officials suggested moving it to Depot Park, on Irving Park Road and Park Street, to alleviate parking concerns with new businesses soon to open in that area -- notably a Starbucks Coffee. But after staff members reviewed the request, they found the park would be too small for the market and that there were some problems with right-of-way easements.

"It wouldn't hold it," Roselle Village Administrator Jeff O'Dell told the board.

Though the market will remain in the same location and be managed by the same people, there are a few changes.

For one, it will be slightly smaller. This summer, the market will operate on Main Street, between Prospect Street and the "How Sweet It Is" ice cream and candy store -- instead of reaching all the way down to Roselle Road.

Times of operation have also changed. It will be open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Aug. 16 to Oct. 11. Last year, it operated from June to September.

According to the new agreement, the village will continue paying for electricity, garbage pickup, portable restrooms, and traffic barricades for the market.

But unlike in previous years, it will no longer use some of its hotel and motel tax to promote the market. Puntch and Reuter will have to come up with their own funds for advertising and marketing.

The market may also change in upcoming years. Another Roselle resident, Len Buonincontro, who owns Rock Star Salon and Spa on Main Street, has proposed a Local Harvest Market that would feature farmers from Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa and Minnesota who farm using mostly organic methods. That proposal did not end up on the table, but it's something that can be considered next year. Buonincontro may also work together with Puntch and Reuter.