Wheeling gives go-ahead for farmers market

While Wheeling officials wait for a developer to fix up the former Wickes Furniture site, they might as well use it as a place to sell some fruits and vegetables, trustees decided on Monday.

Earlier this month, trustees asked village staff to find the best location and time of year for a Wheeling farmers market. On Monday, Peter Vadopalas, director of economic development, said the best plan would be a fall farmers market starting on Sept. 18. He said the best site would be the Wickes site at 351 W. Dundee Road.

The farmer's market could be held every Friday though late October, he said.

Vadopalas has three produce vendors ready to commit to the idea; however, not everyone was completely sold on the location.

Trustee David Vogel said the farmers market could be successful on the village hall campus, while Village President Judy Abruscato liked the American Veterans location at 700 McHenry Road or the Metra stop on the east side of the tracks.

"Wickes is a great place, but what if it gets developed in two years or three years and the farmers market has to move someplace else and start all over?" she said.

Vadopalas said the farmers market vendors liked the Wickes site the best, which is why the staff picked it.

"It's a well-established site with the visibility and parking we would need to get it going," he said.

Wheeling's farmers market would be limited to selling fruits and vegetables and not on include crafts because the two groups don't often mix well, Vadopalas said.

"There's a stigma out there that some craft fairs are more like flea markets that sell Tupperware and jewelry," he said. "The bigger (farmer) vendors don't like to mix."

Trustee Ken Brady said the village "should be able to separate the junk peddlers from the real crafters."

"There are garden clubs and garden clubs out there, and I know they'd like to participate," Brady said.

Wheeling officials spent $3.8 million to buy the empty Wickes Furniture site in December, and they've been waiting for a developer ever since. Wheeling's comprehensive plan calls for a mixed use development of commercial and residential property.