Highland Park Discontinues Sunday French Market Series At The Lot

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — City officials canceled this summer's planned French Market Sundays at The Lot in downtown Highland Park, days after the first market of the year.

Diane Larson, the city's marketing coordinator, notified market manager Bensidoun USA of the cancelation in a later dated Thursday. The first market was held Sunday.

Larson said the decision was based on attendance projections, logistical and site concerns, and feedback from both vendors and members of the public.

"Because there is no Market Agreement Extension for 2024 between the City of Highland Park and Bensidoun USA, the City has decided to exercise its rights in halting French Market operations at The Lot, located at 525 Central Avenue," Larson told Bensidoun. "The City is grateful to and mindful of market vendors who have committed to the Highland Park market, and wishes them future success at any subsequent markets they attend."

According to promotional materials, the market featured "an array of artisan and specialty food vendors" offering for sale "jewelry, clothing, produce, pastries, candles, art, kitchen and cooking wares, accessories, and so much more while ambient live music plays in the background."

Larson told Patch that city officials value their partnership with Bensidoun and plan to continue to collaborate with the company to arrange Food Truck Thursdays in the Ravinia District.

"The City does not place blame or fault on Bensidoun regarding the market cancelation," she said.

The city has a contract with Ripple Public Relations to manage and operate The Lot. That contract expires at the end of the year.

At a committee meeting last month, three members of the Highland Park City Council expressed unease at the idea of spending several million dollars on upgrades to The Lot, converting all or part of the parking lot to a public space.

Two councilmembers supported the idea, one was absent and has since been replaced and the mayor did not express her views at the meeting.

In announcing the cancelation of the French Market series, city staff said they are looking into ways to spend the money it saves on "additional programming."