Chicago Market Newsletter — January 2025
Winter Local Foods
Remember, our local farmers are still producing or have storage crops, meats, cheeses, and more available. So be sure to search out those delicious local foods all times of the year. Here are just a few places to find the goods:
- Edgewater Indoor Market - Jan 18, Feb 15, Mar 22 (ooh, we see some of our Uptown Farmers Market vendors here!)
- Green City Market Avondale - every Sat through Mar 22
- Jefferson Park Sunday Market - Feb 2, Apr 6, May 4
And there are so many more markets in other parts of the city listed on this great roundup from our Owner friend Bob at Local Food Forum.
And our own Uptown Farmers Market returns May 7!
Officer Update
The Board elected Grant Kessler to serve as President at the recent Board meeting. Grant served as Board President previously for over six years and is glad to be back in the role. Matthew Ruffi remains on the Board and we thank him so much for filling the President role for nearly four years.
As recently reported, our first round of construction bids came in too high. The construction management firm we connected with recently has strong relationships with local contractors and they are collecting bids right now from new general contractors and sub-contractors. The process was slowed by the holidays and the construction management firm has just begun receiving and reviewing bids.
PERMIT
We expect to complete the permit process shortly.
We expect to complete the permit process shortly.
BANK LOAN
Both bank loan and TIF funding will close once they see that our construction budget matches our bids from contractors.
No one on our team is happy about these delays, but a project like ours is complicated and the Board is working diligently on behalf of Owners to get our store open. Thank you for understanding the complexities and for continuing to support your Co-op.

- Board Meeting — February 11, 7-9:00pm
News from Our Business Owners
"Looking for an easy way to mindfully dispose of your holiday greenery? We can help! All must be devoid of decorations or wire. Wreaths must be deconstructed and placed in a paper bag for collection. Contact [email protected] with a list of what you have and we’ll tell you how much it will cost and when we’ll be there to pick it up."
Irpino Real Estate
IRPINO Real Estate Presents their Local Business Spotlight series featuring local businesses in Chicago’s Uptown and Buena Park neighborhoods. The latest profiles Arya Bhavan, a vegan Indian restaurant in West Ridge.
IRPINO Real Estate Presents their Local Business Spotlight series featuring local businesses in Chicago’s Uptown and Buena Park neighborhoods. The latest profiles Arya Bhavan, a vegan Indian restaurant in West Ridge.
Yoga Body Elements
Women's Circle Chicago Summit 2025, Saturday, January 25th, 11:00am - 7:00 pm
Empowering women leaders in Chicago, and beyond! We will gather to celebrate, move our bodies, create personally and collectively, set intentions, learn tools to strength our purpose and serve our community better together. Register.

Empowering women leaders in Chicago, and beyond! We will gather to celebrate, move our bodies, create personally and collectively, set intentions, learn tools to strength our purpose and serve our community better together. Register.

The Level 1 Teacher Certification will provide enough knowledge to comfortably lead a 1-2 hour Restorative Yoga class. (20 EEs). Register.
Get Involved
Volunteer - there are ways to help with event planning, volunteer coordination, parking lot clean up help, and social media marketing. Email to learn more.
Invest in Preferred Shares now—you benefit and your Co-op can lower its reliance on bank debt.

Not up for investing but want to help your Co-op financially?
- Donate any amount here. (can be tax-deductible and recurring)
- Level Up your Ownership if you're not already a Cultivating Owner.
- Donate to our Ownership Grant Program.
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