This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Mokena's French Market Begins a Fresh Season with Fresh Produce

Every Saturday morning, through Oct. 29, you can support local farmers and businesses at Mokena's French Market.

Bon jour! Mokena’s French Market has returned for its 10th season in the Metra lot on the corner of Front Street and Wolf Road. Each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., you can purchase fresh produce, artisan bread and cheese, baked goods, flowers, plants, trees, jewelry and makeup.

This morning was the second Saturday of the 2011 market season, which began May 14 and runs through Oct. 29. Though the weather was a far cry from the sunny warmth that market vendors and customers hope to see, many residents still came out to support the local farmers and businesses.

Laura Coggins and her daughter covered their heads with hoods to stay dry as they made the trek to the market.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

“We come every year, despite the weather, and usually every week in the summer,” Coggins said. “We mostly come for the fresh produce and the Amish cheese."

Coggins used to have a booth as a vendor herself, selling a craft. Now, she said, she just enjoys coming for the array of fruits, vegetables and crafts.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Janine Casey said she drives out from Orland Park about once a month to shop at Mokena’s market, though her daughter comes every week.

“I come for the bread and cheese, and Labriola lets us make special orders beforehand,” Casey said, on her way to the Labriola booth.

Labriola Baking Company has sold its more than 40 types of artisan breads and pastries at the Mokena French Market for the past three years. This will be its fourth year at the market. The company was founded in 1993 by Rich Labriola, and the family-owned bakery still stands in Alsip.

Bob Brobick is the man under Labriola’s canopy at the Mokena French Market, and he said he enjoys coming to the market because everyone is so nice and there is always a good turnout.

“Our pretzel breads and English muffins are the most popular items, but we also have different types of artisan breads, muffins and cookies,” Brobick explained.

Other popular vendors returning to the market this year include Rise' N Roll Bakery & Deli, an Amish bakery based out of Middleton, IN, Strefling & Girls Produce, a produce-and-flower farm based out of Galien, MI, Hiemenz Nursery, based out of Monee, and Little Europe Deli, located in Westchester.

Stamper Cheese Company is a new booth to the market this year. The company is based out of Chicago, and the cheese comes from a Wisconsin dairy farm. Cheeses include gouda, Italian, bleu and fresh mozzarella, as well as cheese spreads and more.

Enjoi! Bakery is another new vendor this year, with a whole slew of freshly baked cupcakes, cake balls, pies, sweet breads and more. The bakery is based out of Channahon.

Celine Narel, an independent Avon representative from Mokena, said she’s been selling at the market all 10 years. On this Saturday, she was the only non-food or foliage-related vendor, selling makeup, skincare and jewelry.

“I sell in Mokena because my clientele is here, and I enjoy doing this and meeting new people,” Narel said.

Assistant Village Administrator Kirk Zoellner said the number of vendors varies week to week. Currently, there are around 12 vendors showing up to the market, though he said in past years, it’s reached up to 25.

“We see more participation when it gets warmer out. Some vendors don’t have products to sell yet,” Zoellner said.

Zoellner said the market is pretty much the same as in years past, displaying the same French canopies from Bensidoun USA, the company that runs the market.

“We hope to have a good season and see lots of participation,” Zoellner said. “There’s not just good produce, plants, bread and cheese at the market, but also the ambiance of the market, and getting to see people you know.”

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?