95th Street Farmers Market Returns: What's Changed In 2020

CHICAGO — The 95th Street Farmers Market will make its season debut on Sunday, June 21. The 2020 opening day comes a month-and-a-half later than usual due to the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions in place by the city of Chicago. While a number of social distancing changes are in place, some things remain the same for the summer market that takes shape in the parking lot on the southeast side of 95th and Longwood Drive in Beverly.

"Almost all of our longstanding vendors will be back," said Erin Ross, organizer of the farmers market put on by the 95th Street Business Association. The market time, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays through the end of October, also remains in place. The hour from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. is now reserved for seniors and those with compromised immune systems, Ross said.

Ross said restrictions include allowing a capacity of around 60 market-goers in the market at a time, no touching the products until purchased, wearing face coverings at all times and the discouragement of children and dogs from being present.

"We're not going to be able to have the live music or the face painters," Ross said. "They are asking people to treat markets as in-and-out, get what they need for shopping and leave."

The business association has listed all guidelines for the farmers market.

"My biggest feat was that we weren't going to be able to have it at all," Ross said. "It may be a month-and-a-half late, but we are back."