Downtown Roselle, often considered by many to be a little too quiet for comfort, has been bustling with activity on Saturday mornings thanks to an open-air market organized by two Roselle residents.
Sisters Julie Puntch and Amy Reuter decided to start up the Main Street Market as a means of drawing attention to the downtown business district.
“We wanted to bring a family activity to the area that would generate excitement,” Puntch said. “We feel the market has accomplished that. The Main Street Market has become a social gathering spot, bringing a sense of community.”
Many people come back week after week, she added.
Puntch describes the market as more of a French market than a farmers market. While produce is sold there, which is typical of a farmers market, there are also vendors for a variety of products such as flowers, candles, pastries, breads and more, Puntch said.
“We keep getting new vendors,” she added.
Roselle resident Linda Schabelski describes herself as a regular to the market.
“I’m happy to have one locally, and the variety of products was unexpected,” she said.
For Roselle resident Sharon Sikora, however, last Saturday was her first visit.
“It’s very nice,” she said. “It’s great to have fresh produce back in town, especially since Roselle used to be a farming town.”
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What: Roselle’s Main Street Market When: 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Sept. 15, except for Aug. 4 Location: Between Roselle Road and Prospect Avenue, downtown Roselle. To sell: Vendors interested in renting a booth at the Main Street Market can contact organizers via e-mail at MainStreetRoselle@yahoo.com or call (630) 307-0949. |
The Main Street Market seems to be working for the vendors who participate, bringing an opportunity to do more business. Puntch claims that many of the vendors have had their best sales at the market.
Sadie Murray, who sells nutrition products from Free Life International, is happy to have an opportunity to build customer awareness for her business at the market.
“I also love the community atmosphere,” she added. “And the organizers do a phenomenal job.”
Jennifer Pack, owner of Shelby Paws Organic Pet Bakery, also has a positive opinion of the Main Street market. Pack has experienced a lot of repeat business with market customers buying more products later via her company’s Web site.
“I think it’s going great,” Pack said. “And the organizers are doing a good job getting the word out, so turnout has been good.”
Business owners along Main Street are also appreciative for the interest that the market is helping to generate in the downtown district.
Kathy Kent, owner of Creative Learning Art Studio for Kids, feels, like many, that the Main Street Market is drawing people to downtown Roselle and helping to build awareness for her business. Kent’s art studio was one of the first businesses to locate in the new section of the downtown district, between Prospect Avenue and Roselle Road, where the issue of revitalization has been at times controversial.
“It’s helping to get the word out and even drawing in people from different towns,” Kent said. “Advertising is expensive, so this is great.”
Roselle Flowers owner Elanie Mitropoulos was initially concerned the Main Street Market would cause parking issues but she said the parking situation hasn’t been much of a problem.
“I love the exposure,” Mitropoulos said of the market. “The exposure the market brings outweighs any parking problems.”
