When you drive the Eight Corners intersection in Brookfield, it has a European feel, thanks to one of the few roundabouts in the area.
Brookfield’s new Artisan Market will add to that vibe, especially because it’s next to the Brookfield Shops at Progress Park.
Libby Popovic, director of economic and community development for Brookfield, said the shops were a hit last year and she’s hoping for the same success with the artisan market.
“The community has been super supportive. You know how Eight Corners is — small Mom and Pop shops. It already has that Old World feel. It’s the perfect setup for something like this,” Popovic said Tuesday.
While opening day on June 10 was rained out due the heavy storms that passed through the area, shoppers will have several more opportunities. The market will run from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays: June 17 and 24, and July 8, 15, and 22.
The Artisan Market will feature local vendors selling farm-fresh produce, handmade goods, baked treats, and artisan products.
The market will be held on Broadway Avenue, which will be closed to traffic west of the roundabout, adjacent to the Brookfield Shops at Progress Park.
“It’s part of our overall initiative for strategic development. It’s a tool we’re using to support entrepreneurs and shops, and to bring new vendors to the Eight Corners corridor,” Popovic said. “We’re trying to support the small businesses.”
All six tiny shops — each 12 feet by 15 feet — will add to the festive feeling, Popovic said.
Rotating attractions throughout the season will include food trucks, live music, workshops, and family-friendly entertainment.
“I hope we’ll be able to expand it next summer and run it a little longer,” Popovic said.
New murals at Brookfield Shops
On Friday, June 12, at 11 a.m., Brookfield unveils nine new murals at the Brookfield Shops.
“We have nine murals up now. We’re bringing in nine new murals. All are by local artists and will be displayed around the little shops and in the new courtyard,” Popovic said.
Brookfield Village President Michael Garvey, project partners, and local artist Joanna White will speak at Friday’s unveiling.
The celebration will also include live music, shopping opportunities, and a special appearance by a Brookfield Zoo Chicago Animal Ambassador.
“This is an exciting opportunity to showcase the creativity, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit that makes Brookfield such a special community,” Garvey said in a prepared statement.
Artist Mary Beth Zwolfer said in a prepared statement: “I’m grateful that once again I’ve been invited to join an amazing group of talented artists to create art for the Brookfield Shops’ outdoor gallery. The colorful sheds are a clever way to draw people into the courtyard and they’re the inspiration for the color palettes in my paintings. When I shop the Brookfield Shops and walk through the public art gallery full of visual storytelling, it feels intimate and small-town friendly.”
Site enhancements to the Brookfield Shops were funded by the Cook County Creative Placemaking Grant and include an outdoor courtyard, upgraded landscaping, signage, and more. The grant supports projects that use arts, culture, and public space improvements to strengthen local business districts and community gathering spaces.
The shops welcome visitors through December and operate Fridays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.