The Vibe Is Off for Logan Square Farmers Market Vendors | Eater Chicago

"A long-running neighborhood market that recently relocated to a new site and kicked off the season amid mounting tension between food vendors and organizers. Many longtime produce and prepared-food sellers say market leadership has favored a summer-festival vibe by allowing more non-food and vintage 'bazaar' stalls, which some vendors argue dilute the market's agricultural focus and undercut those who pay vendor fees. Complaints include crowding, traffic and safety concerns, erratic scheduling, being moved from prime spots, and an implied discouragement from speaking to the press; vendors fear retaliation if they push back. Organizers, led by the local chamber and its market director, defend the approach as a way to draw larger crowds, connect farmers to city customers, and support the broader community while the city sorts out licensing for informal sellers. Vendors also point to broader shifts—like the loss of nearby retail spaces and closures of local accounts—that have disrupted sales, and several say the market has drifted from being a food incubator toward feeling like a 'glorified food hall.'" - Ashok Selvam