Chicago Market Newsletter — July 2025
Project Update
As we’ve shared, our construction costs rose. We re-tooled our construction and equipment plans in smart ways that still give us the store we all want (and we can add things back in over time). Doing so cut about $4 million in our construction budget, but we were left with a $2.5 million gap.
Although there has not been a lot to report to you, we want you to know the Board and some incredibly dedicated partners are working hard to try to find a solution to fill that gap. We have amazing people in our corner who see the vision you all have built and supported, and THEY SUPPORT IT TOO. It’s inspiring to see them work and advocate on your behalf. We wish we could share more, but we have to let them work behind the scenes toward a solution.
Just know that they ARE working hard for you, but their processes take time.
Our collective vision of a better food community — local, sustainable, connected — is so powerful and it is driving us to seek solutions. We hope our partners can assist, as we cannot see another path forward to filling this $2.5 million gap. More news as soon as we can share.
Prairie Food Co-op Opens
Our co-op friends in Lombard opened their doors July 9! We’ve been on a very similar parallel path with them for 12+ years now and they opened a terrific store for their community that prioritizes local foods, community ownership, and keeping economic power in the neighborhood.
Three of our Board members were there for their soft opening to cheer them on and support by volunteering — opening day for a co-op is an all-hands-on-deck experience! (photo shows board members from Prairie, Chicago Market, Food Shed, Wild Onion, and Shared Harvest)
Dana McKinney stood at the front of the checkout line talking with shoppers. Many told her, “I joined years ago and wasn’t sure this was really going to happen.” Her response was, “But you DID join. You saw the vision for what this co-op could be... You took the leap by pooling some of your money with everyone else who also saw this vision, and look what you created! This store is yours and will serve this community because YOU believed in it.”
Congratulations, Prairie! Stop in and shop their store if you can!
Prairie Food Co-op | 834 S Westmore-Meyers Rd, Lombard, IL
In the News
Lack of middleman between Illinois farmers and consumers limits market for fruits and vegetables, Chicago Tribune
This is a story about our farmer friends at Down at the Farms—Marty Travis sees Chicago Market as a huge part of the solution and looks forward to our opening as a game-changer in the area’s local food system.
- Board Meeting — August 11, 7-9:00pm
News from Our Business Owners
Collective Resource Compost Cooperative
June 10, 2025 marked Collective Resource's 15th birthday! 15 years of helping their community combat climate change by making composting easy. And they recently passed the 15,000 ton mark for food waste diverted from the landfill. Learn more and join them today.
IRPINO REAL ESTATE
IRPINO Real Estate Presents their Local Business Spotlight series featuring local businesses in Chicago’s Uptown and Buena Park neighborhoods and the occasional landmark further afield. The latest profiles Columbia Yacht Club on the lakefront.
Yoga Body ElementsJoin Yoga Body Elements for a revitalizing morning yoga session and chanting. Saturday, July 19th, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. Lakeside location – feel the breeze, hear the waves, and reconnect with nature. Register.