Oak Lawn Farmer’s Market Returns

The ladies of Sunshine Bakery in Middlebury, Ind., at last year's
Oak Lawn Farmer's Market. Courtesy of Oak Lawn Patch

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

This year’s Farmer’s Market in Oak Lawn will be the biggest yet, said Deputy Village Clerk Chris O’Grady, who has been in charge of the annual market for the past seven years.

“We will have 38 spaces this year,” said O’Grady. “When I started seven years ago we had 10 vendors. We have really grown.”

The market will run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 52nd Avenue and Dumke Drive every Wednesday from June 6 to Oct. 17.

O’Grady said there will be five farmers at this year’s market including one returning farmer who sells potted plants.

“I wait until the market starts to buy my plants from him,” said O’Grady. “His potted plants are fantastic and huge.”

“New this year is a cheese vendor,” said O’Grady.

Other vendors will be selling fruits and berries, potatoes, leafy, green vegetables, juices, spices, jellies and jams, bread and pastries, sausages and fresh flowers. There also will be an Amish baker and a knife sharpener.

Oak Lawn Boy Scouts will be serving Chicago-style hot dogs, Polish sausages, chips and soda. Christenson’s Popcorn Wagon will be dishing out snow cones, lemon shake-ups and buckets of popcorn.

“You can find some really nice bargains,” said O’Grady.

She’s also still on the lookout for more vendors.

“I’m looking for an organic farmer,” she said. If there’s one out there, give her a call at Village Hall.

For a complete list of vendors, check out today’s Oak Lawn Patch.

Southland Chamber Names New CEO

David Hinderliter was named recently as new President and CEO of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce. He fills a position that has been vacant for more than three years.

A Bourbonnais resident with an extensive executive resume, Hinderliter had led the Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce since 1993.

“You have no idea how excited I am to be here,” he said to members and guests at the Southland Chamber Regional Lunch on May 14.

The newly tapped Chamber chief expressed an eagerness to get down to business and push forward in his new position. His work is cut out in an organization that has an 85-community footprint.

Payless Shoesource Reopens

Payless Shoesource has reopened at Orland Square Mall in its new location in the upper level JCPenney Court, next to Home Spa.

Chuck E. Cheese Expanding

Work has begun on a 4,300 square foot addition to the front of Chuck E. Cheese restaurant and arcade at 16090 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park.

Mokena Chamber Tees it Up

The Mokena Chamber of Commerce will tee off with a shotgun start at noon Wednesday, June 13, at its annual golf outing at Sanctuary Golf Course in New Lenox.

New this year is a giant ball drop on the 16th Hole, a massive putting contest and a hole-in-one contest with the grand prize winner getting a new car from Bettenhausen Automotive.

For information, call the chamber at 708-479-2468.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at http://www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com/.