French Market Coming To Elmhurst

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst is poised to sign off on an agreement to allow a French market downtown.

The market would be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays from June to October. It would be at the city's parking lot at Park and Prospect avenues, next to the public library.

Other suburbs also have French markets. The village of Lisle says a French market is a "more organized form" of a farmers market and offers a greater variety of merchandise.

The city's agreement for the French market is with Bensidoun USA Inc., which develops public markets in the Chicago area.

The municipal parking lot was considered a good spot because it requires no need for street closures or barricades and has ample nearby parking, according to a city memo this week.

The agreement for the Elmhurst French Market would be on a one-year trial basis, the memo said. After that, the city can decide whether to continue the program.

Under the agreement, the company will pay the city a $500 operating fee and cover any unforeseen costs.

The firm also agreed to allow Elmhurst businesses the right of first refusal to reserve vendor space at the market, the memo said.

On Tuesday, the City Council plans to vote on the agreement for the market.

It is also set to vote on the annual contract for the Elmhurst Farmers Market, which is at a city parking lot at York and Vallette streets.