Dundee Depot announces hours, weekend markets opening May 9
Bike trail users and shoppers take note: this summer, the Dundee Township Visitor's Center (a.k.a. "The Depot"), 319 N. River St. in East Dundee, will have extended hours and continue its outdoor Depot Market on Saturdays and a farmer's market featuring food and plants on Sundays.
Both markets will open this weekend, May 9-10, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Sunday food market was added last year to complement the weekly Saturday market that has been held at the Depot May through October for the past 25-plus years.
Located next to the Fox River Bicycle Trail, the Depot is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.
According to Depot Manager Bill Zelsdorf, there are plans afoot to extend hours until dusk if enough volunteers can be wrangled.
According to East Dundee's marketing director Karen Blair, the village took a more active role in keeping the building open for extended hours as well as hosting the Sunday market. The efforts are in conjunction with the town's plans to create a more vibrant downtown overall, which officials hope will attract more visitors and businesses.
"We're working toward making downtown East Dundee a destination, and the bike trail, the Depot, and our outdoor markets are all a great draw that we want to capitalize on as much as possible," Blair said. The year-old downtown business group plans for more fun, community-focused events, and the addition of more or improved parking and public spaces are also part of East Dundee's downtown revitalization plans.
The village's Motor Mondays, Tail Waggin' Tuesdays and Wine Down Wednesdays will also continue this summer, Blair said, and there are plans underway to add craft beer tasting and education events on "Thirsty Thursdays."
The Saturday market, which has been renamed the Depot Market, is a popular social outlet and typically features over 40 vendors each week selling antiques, jewelry and collectibles, plus locally grown produce (in season), bedding plants and flowers, baked goods; yard and garden items, natural pet food; and more.
Sunday's market features plants and edibles only in both raw and cooked formats.
Depot visitors can pick up a variety of free maps and information about area restaurants, attractions, and the 60-mile Fox River Bicycle Trail, plus the all-volunteer group offers Dundee-themed merchandise for sale, including Fox River Trail T-shirts, Depot tote bags, and Dundee history books.
The Dundee Township Visitor's Center is partially funded with donations and booth fees from the Depot Market. Funds raised also go toward an annual scholarship that is awarded each spring through the Dundee Township Rotary Club.
Visit www.dundeedepot.com for Depot, bike trail or market information. The Visitor's Center is also on Facebook and Twitter as Dundee Depot.
"Our motto is 'Something for everyone'," Zelsdorf said, adding that new vendors are always welcome.
For information about Saturday vendor space, visit www.dundeedepot.com or call Zelsdorf at (847) 426-4307. For Sunday market or event information, contact Karen Blair at (847) 426-2822.