Outdoor market season beckons browsers in East Dundee

Something about an open-air market calls people to stop their cars, or in East Dundee, their bicycles, and browse for deals.

Maybe it's the rows of vendors selling clocks, old magazines, dishes, glasses, or vegetables that entices curiosity. Or maybe it's fun to see what we have been living without, but there's something about an open-air market.

East Dundee started the fun a few weeks ago when it opened its Depot Market and farmers market for the spring, summer and fall seasons. It didn't take long for vendors who line their tables and wares at the North River Street Depot to start calling the curious to shop from their collection.

To be honest, vendors such as Dale Keith of Elgin are just as curious when they shop at garage sales for items that they sell at the Depot Market on Saturday.

"I've been doing this for 20 years," said Keith. "I'm always looking for something interesting."

He said he always finds intriguing items such as old screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers, and metal "Star Wars" lunchboxes.

"When I was a kid, I moved around a lot and never stayed in one place to have many toys," Keith said. "I come here every week. Sometimes I make a few dollars, but I like talking to people and the other vendors."

Many vendors know they won't get rich selling their items at the Saturday Depot Market, said William Zelsdorf, market manager. They come back, though, because they know each other and they have learned that, unlike markets in neighboring towns, East Dundee has few rules that will take the fun out of selling and buying.

"We've eliminated all the difficulties and the high prices for booth space. Here it's $20 to rent space. That's the same price it has been for years. People know us and people like us. We have the same 40-50 vendors who come back week after week," he said.

The Depot Market will run, rain or shine, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 29, at the Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee.

Cora Welsh, a vendor from Geneva, said she will probably be at the market much of the season, selling the old books and glassware she collects from friends and family members.

Like Keith, she is curious about what she can find and what she can sell. The repeat customers she sees every week are an added incentive on returning.

The only rule coordinators have for the Saturday market is prohibiting the sales of weapons, alcohol and drugs. In years past, they have allowed area farmers to sell their fruits and vegetables on Saturday. Now, those farmers have their own day - Sunday - to sell what they grow in their fields.

The farmers market is held at the Depot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 25.

"We're not competing with the Depot Market," said Erin Weingart, manager of special events of East Dundee. "We're adding to the list of activities to attract people to shop in East Dundee."

Throughout the season, special events have been included in Sunday's market to attract the curious. Some of those events will include: a bicycle rodeo June 5, pet adoption days June 26 and Aug. 28, and National Ice Cream Day tastings July 17.

The warm weather will also bring more farmers to the Sunday market who want to sell their corn, tomatoes and peppers.

For a list of events at the markets, visit www.eastdundee.net.