Chicago (WBBM Newsradio) – Come hang out, grab a bite or a drink, and shop. That’s the idea behind Sauced Night Market, which takes place this week Friday and Saturday.
When founder Sarah Freeman set out to create a local vendor market nine years ago, she wanted a place that also allowed for people to hang out.
“My weird thing about markets is you go and you do a lap and then you leave” she said. “And we didn't want that to happen, because you're less likely to spend money on all the awesome small businesses if you just go once around and you walk out the door.”
This weekend, the market is being held from 5 p.m.- 10 p.m. at WNDR Museum. The setup includes space for a DJ, a bar and food in addition to dozens of vendors. The overall vibe of the market is more contemporary with music, dimmed lighting and the featured vendors.
Freeman wanted to fill a void that she saw left by traditional craft markets, whether that be creators who were “too edgy or maybe not feminine enough.”
“We're sort of the anti-craft market,” she said.
There will be five total Sauced markets in Chicago this year. With the fall night market taking place the first weekend of November, it has served as a way to unofficially kick off the holiday shopping season. It’s an early start that vendors like Liz Mortensen of Laila Textiles appreciates.
“I feel like people today are half buying for holidays and half still for themselves. So it's good to get a little test of what they’re going to want,” she said.
If you can’t make it to this weekend’s market, or need to do some holiday shopping in the future, Sauced will be hosting a Night Market Before Xmas on Dec. 8 and 9 at the Chicago Athletic Association.
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