Farmers market could return to Lincolnshire

With the “buy local” and “support small businesses” movements continuing to build in the still-struggling economy, plans to launch a new farmers market are materializing in Lincolnshire.

The village has toyed with the concept — popular in other suburbs — twice in the past decade, but neither effort lasted.

Both markets were held at the Village Green shopping center on Milwaukee Avenue; the last one operated briefly five or six years ago, Mayor Brett Blomberg recalled.

This effort would put farmers and their summertime fruits and vegetables in the parking lot at the Lincolnshire Corporate Center, 300 Knightsbridge Parkway, just west of Milwaukee Avenue.

It’s not a high-profile location for the town or even very visible from busy Milwaukee Avenue, but the property owners staged a one-day market there last year, and they want to extend the effort, Blomberg said.

“We’re willing to give it a shot,” he said.

The event wouldn’t generate much revenue, if any, for the village, Blomberg said.

He compared it to Independence Day fireworks shows or other events that are staged for the benefit “of the community as a whole.”

Because the corporate center is zoned for office or industrial uses, a special permit and other regulatory considerations would be needed for the market to operate.

The village board discussed the proposal Monday night during a committee-of-the-whole session.

Following a brief presentation of the concept by farmer and organizer Aaron Kinney, Trustee Karen Feldman expressed concern about the somewhat-remote location. But Trustee David Saltiel saw the office-park locale as a plus for the market.

“The one thing that’s nice about a corporate market is that everybody comes out at lunchtime,” Saltiel said.

No formal action was taken, but officials said the plan should move forward.