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I’m not sure what Joe and I expected to see upon our arrival at the Chicago French Market at the Ogilvie Transportation Center on Monday, but what we found certainly wasn’t it. Our initial impressions skewed more toward Plainfield than Paris, but after talking to a few vendors and considering the steady stream of shoppers coming through on an early Monday afternoon, our pessimism slowly started to fade.
The 15,000 square-foot retail space at 131 N Clinton St opened for business last Thursday. Check back later this week for more footage from our visit.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I actually think the place looks great, I have yet to visit but your video does remind me of some markets that I have been to. At least they didnt go Vegas style and try to fool you that you are in Paris or something.
My initial take on the French Market, babbled out at the beginning of the video, and foolishly elaborated, was badly off base.
The important thing is the quality of the vendors and their wares, not the decor. I failed to focus where I should have.
Hello Joe,
Actually, the video was interesting to see these people out and about shopping and what not. This should be in the AP news where there is always some form of negative information about today’s economic. Is there a personal website for the Chicago French Market?
There is — I’ve added it to the text of the story, and it’s included in the video’s end credits.
The negative tone in the first 3 minutes must be explained by river of pink slime running underneath the market’s aisles.
That’s why they play happy music throughout the market, BB.
My wife and I stopped in on Saturday since we love most European markets we’ve been to. I think the French Market has some filling in to do before it’s “there”, but it’s off to a good start (cheese, crepes, coffee and flowers). It’s a little too polished for my liking. I prefer the more weathered look of Pike Place, etc, but I supposed that will come with time.
Thanks for the tour guys. I was in the city earlier this week but because of time considerations, never made it into the market.
I hope to get a chance to check it out next time I’m downtown