The Amish Are Coming! The Amish Are Coming!

Summer's farmers markets are over in Chicago, but it turns out there is still a place where you can get a taste of the rural life in the Loop.

The shuttered Wolf Camera shop at 42 South Clark Street has reopened as the "Rise 'n Roll Amish Market" -- a store selling Amish goods from Shipshewana, Indiana.

The store was closed when I went past on a recent morning, so I don't know if this is a pop-up shop just for the Christmas shopping season, or if it's going to stick around.  I did, however, find that on November 20, 2009 a business license was issued for another location at Two Illinois Center (233 North Michigan Avenue).

Don't Forget Your Chicago Farmers Markets

Just spent the morning at the farmers market at the Museum of Contemporary Art.  Based on the growing variety of flowers, fruits, and vegetables available, we're rapidly approaching the peak of farmers market season.

If you haven't been to one in your neighborhood yet, do go.  See our article from last month which has a link to a calendar (web page or iCal file) listing all of the market days and locations through October.

Here's some pictures taken today:

First Farmers' Market of 2009

It's farmers market season in Chicago once again.  It's your best chance to sink your teeth into the freshest food possible without leaving the city.

Today was the first one -- at Federal Plaza in the Loop.  The next one is Thursday at Daley Plaza, but they become more frequent and widespread as the season progresses.

Because the schedule can be somewhat haphazard (I'm looking at you, Museum of Science and Industry), we've put together a calendar to help you on your way.

To view the Chicago Farmers markets calendar as a web page, click here .
If you have a Mac, you can subscribe to the Chicago Farmers Market calendar in iCal by clicking here .
If you're on another type of computer or PDA that supports .ics calendar imports, click here to download the Chicago Farmers Market calendar .

Here's some pictures from today's event: