Lake Zurich Farmers Market Opens to Good Crowds, Excitement

The lines formed at Jimmy’s Bag O’ Donuts even before Jimmy Bianca could set up at the first Lake Zurich Farmers Market.

Bianca quickly got the equipment that churned out the miniature cake doughnuts and started serving the warm goodies. One of his gourmet flavors is maple and bacon doughnuts, which has maple sugar with bacon bits.

A few tents down, Cliff Mulnix was running low on the homemade pies within an hour of opening. M. Belle’s Pie Shop & Café’s pies have hand rolled, flaky crusts made with lard.

“All lard,” said Mulnix, of the fattening ingredient. “No apologies.”

The market features lots of sought-after goodies along with produce, dips, cheese,  canned salsas, homemade pies and even some Salvadorian treats. A good crowd came out Friday to picturesque Paulus Park for the grand opening.

One of the organizers, Janet Barron, got good feedback during the afternoon.
Barron was one of the core volunteers behind the market with Lake Zurich Park District member Kevin Koch, Mary Beth Euker, Susan Miller and Beth Slaughter.

 “It’s great to have this day come,” Barron said.

Lake Zurich Farmers Market is a great example of the community getting involved, Trustee Jim Beaudoin said.

 “The volunteers worked tirelessly on this. It’s fantastic to see,” he said.

Diane Klein, of The MeatGoat, kept busy Friday afternoon. No, she doesn’t sell goat meat, it’s just a catchy name no one will forget, she said. Klein sells USDA certified organize and grass fed beef. She also has brats, chorizo and lamb. And Klein can accept credit or debit cards with a handy little device that sends customers a receipt through their Smartphone.

“I love the location,” said Klein, whose tent was set up with the park and Lake Zurich in the distance. “Hopefully, the community will turn out for it.”

Mayor Thomas Poynton felt the market was exactly what he hoped it would be and he hopes it grows. “Good things are happening in Lake Zurich,” the mayor said.