Fresh brewed gourmet blends await market shoppers every Friday morning throughout the farmers market season in Orland Park.    The aroma of fresh brewed coffee fills the air surrounding the stand that is run by Cliff Anderson. He takes care of the farmers markets while his wife, Bonnie, puts her artistic touch and keen eye for fashion to good use as a buyer for the shop. Daughter Catherine is the foodie in the family, and handles the fresh baked goods and sweets available both at the store in Mokena and at the farmers market in Orland Park. Together they are the driving force behind the …

Kristin Gonzalez has a gift. She makes extraordinarily beautiful clothing for girls that is reminiscent of years past. Skirts, pants with ruffles and sundresses just like grandma used to make, but with a modern flair. Originally from Canton, Mich., Gonzalez grew up in the country with a love of the outdoors. She now resides in Orland Park with her husband and two children, son Jurgen, 6 1/2 years old, and daughter Anais, 5. Gonzalez has always appreciated the simple things.  "I have a love of things made by hand whether it be a nice dress or a gourmet apple tart," she said. "I just believe …

Customers crowded the tables at the Breadsmith stand on Friday as they waited to grab their pick of the offerings made available by Carol and Marvin Wojciechowski. Some wanted bread, others asked for scones and danishes. Most had a hard time making up their mind, as everything looked delicious.   Marvin was in upper management in the retail industry for years when he decided that was not the life for him. Carol, a registered nurse at Palos Community Hospital, was concerned about her husband's choice and the couple started to look for a small business of their own. First, they looked into …

When Phyllis Hunt of Burbank was looking for a way to supplement her income, her children suggested she sell her homemade pasta she made for her family.  Ten years ago, she bought large amounts of flour and eggs and got to work. Using an old-fashioned pasta maker with a crank handle, she made the goods to sell at local farmers markets.  She has a booth at the Orland Park Farmers Market and offers not only pasta, but soup packets, dried spices and vegetable packets, as well as rice infused with vegetables and spices.    Hunt has since worn out over four pasta makers. "The good ones are so hard…

Great taste and healthy are not often an easily attainable combination. That, however, is exactly what you will find at the Alabaster Box Creations booth at the Orland Park Farmers Market. When Maritza and Matt Medernach tried to come up with a snack that suited their needs, they had no idea their creation would become so popular. Maritza, a flight attendant and Matt, an avid runner, wanted to create a snack that traveled well, tasted great and was a healthy fuel for the body.  Several recipe attempts later and 7 "nola" was born. Flavors offered are blueberry, cherryberry (tart cherry, …

Shannon Leach and her mother, Pam Lateck, make every piece of jewelry they sell at the Orland Park Farmer's Market by hand.   Gemini Treasures Shannon started making jewelry 10 years ago when she was working as a waitress. Christmas was around the corner and money was tight. She wanted to give gifts to her fellow employees but couldn't afford much, so she made bracelets for them all. One co-worker thought they were so pretty that she suggested she sell them at the Frankfort Farmers Market.  She now sells at both the Tinley Park market and Orland Park market as Gemini Treasures. Shannon and …

McCarthy Farms has been a part of the Orland Park farmer's market since its inception. A long-time Orland Park staple, McCarthy Farms has been selling produce to residents for well over 25 years. Their stand, located on 159th Street just west of Ravinia Avenue, offers a vast selection of fruits and vegetables, which can be found every Friday at the farmers market.  We talked to Ed Broniarczyk, the uncle of farmstand owner Jerry McCarthy, who is a camera aficionado when not slinging produce. After he finished making fun of the point and shoot Nikon I was using that morning, Broniarczyk said …

Windy City Espresso is a welcome edition to the market this year.  Owner Carol Schubert said she "loves being at the market and coming up with new and exciting drinks to make."  She and her mother, MaryEllen Schubert were busy chopping fruit and blending smoothies when we caught up with them.  MaryEllen said with pride that "she (Carol) is always thinking of new drinks and flavor combinations."    Carol is only 20 years old and has already been in business for 3 years.  Working at a local Starbucks was where she discovered her love for coffee and smoothies. Despite her young age, she knew …

Donna Dyxin loves to bake. She also loves dogs. She thought, "why not combine the two?" She did and in 2005, Buddy's Biscuit Bakery was born.  This is her sixth year at the farmer's market here in Orland Park, where she and her husband Charles have been selling their all natural doggie treats since the company's inception.  The Dyxins have five dogs of their own. Buddy, a wired hair pointer that the business is named after, is their eldest dog. They also have two brussel griffons and a chocolate lab. They said that raising the dogs is a breeze compared to raising their now-grown four children…

When I was a kid living in Chicago, I remember the "knife guy" who would ride up and down the street on his bicycle with a work box attached to the back.  He would ring his bell as he went by the first time and circle back to greet his customers once they had the chance to grab their knives for sharpening and bring them to the curb.  He would then sharpen our kitchen knives for a nominal fee, right then and there, then move on to the next customer.    I wonder what ever happened to the knife guy.    Imagine my delight when I first heard we would have our own "knife guy" here at the Orland …

The farmer's market isn't just about the produce anymore. Shoppers can find a wide variety of craft and fashion items as well.  One Orland Park resident and vendor has been selling her popular fashion items at the market for 7 years. Lisa Brown of IN.PURSEinators Traveling Boutique says she looks forward to the season every year.  Happy Customers, Helpful Family Brown, who used to work in credit and collections, wanted to do something that would not only allow her to work around her children's schedules but give her an opportunity to work around people who were happy.  By the looks of things …

Jennifer DeLess makes spectacular salsa. Her husband has been telling her for years that she should be selling it. Her salsa-loving customers are glad she now does and lucky for us, she is selling it right her in town at the Orland Park Farmer's Market. DeLess wasn't always in the salsa business. She resigned from her job in the mortgage industry nine years ago to raise her children. She wasn't sure what she wanted do once her youngest child begins to attend school full time in fall. DeLess has a real estate license but with the mortgage and real estate markets not what they used to be, she …

What do you get when you cross rich Michigan soil, years of farming experience and immense pride in a craft? Apparently, the result is amazing produce.  That is what we found at the Skibbe Farms stand last Friday at the Orland Park Farmers Market. Their table was packed with fresh strawberries, rhubarb, asparagus, Michigan lettuce and Kohlrabi.  An herb table was also set up with rosemary, sage, Italian parsley chives, oregano, thyme, marjoram and basil. Just off to the side were rows of decorative flowers in hanging baskets. Mona Moore, an employee of Skibbe Farms, was running the stand with…

As summer approaches, so does another seasonal event here in Orland Park, the farmers’ market.  Every Friday morning (except August 5th for Taste of Orland) from 7:30 am to 1:00pm beginning June 3rd until October 7th, vendors gather on the grounds of the Village Center just south of the Civic Center at 14700 Ravinia Avenue to sell their goods.  You will find fresh baked Artisan bread, fruits, vegetables, flowers, crafts and gourmet foods as well as a vast variety of other items.  New Vendors Along with the vendors of years past, a sprinkling of new vendors will make their Orland Park Farmers…