At this weekend’s Ensemble Market, local vendors, vintage shops and craftspeople set up booths to display their wares in Bookman’s Alley.
Ensemble is an independent business collective that aims to bring together businesses and the community in the greater Chicago area.
Claire Seizovic, the market’s organizer, decided on the venue because she said she didn’t see many markets that showcased a mix of Chicago and Evanston businesses. She got her inspiration from running similar vendor pop-ups when she lived in Tucson, Arizona.
“I think it’s really important and sweet for people to meet business owners face to face,” she said. “I’ve seen collaborations start after the market between businesses. It’s really cool to see the ripple effects.”
Louise Rosenberg is the owner of Cultivate, an urban rainforest and gallery located on Main Street. On Saturday, she displayed a collection of house plants, pots and plant mounts.
Rosenberg also used the occasion to highlight Cultivate’s workshops, which teach customers how to take care of houseplants.
“I’ve always appreciated what they can bring to life: wonder, home,” Rosenberg said. “I like sharing that with other people.”
Evanston resident Schuyler Smith said he attended the event to show his support for local businesses and the participating business owners that he knows.
Smith said events like these matter to Evanston and are vital in ensuring the community is able to shop from local businesses.
“It helps support the community because it’s taking advantage of empty spaces that would otherwise sit unused,” Smith said.
Julie Bird, owner of Hawthorne Lane, started her online jewelry business with her daughter around a year ago.
At their store, the duo takes vintage pieces and converts them into wearable items. They offer pieces ranging from men’s cufflinks to hat pins, necklaces, beaded bracelets and earrings. Julie Goldberg, who helps out with the business, said highlighting local jewelry instead of selling pieces manufactured from corporate businesses can make it feel more personal.
“These pieces have been around for hundreds of years, and it’s all about making them your own and building into something that expresses yourself and your joy,” Goldberg said.
Carmen Wynn is the owner of Chicago-based MisTeaque’s, which sells loose leaf tea.
In addition to participating in this year’s Ensemble Market, Wynn said she has displayed her creations at other local farmer’s markets. In the summer, she sells tea at Downtown Evanston’s Thursday Night Market.
“I go wherever I can to get my brand out there,” Wynn said.
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