I spent Small Business Saturday at the Chicago Artisan Market. My friends at Exit Strategy Realty made me aware of this cool event promoting and supporting local businesses.

Chicago Artisan Market is an indoor market featuring local food, art, fashion, home goods and more. It is dedicated to supporting independently owned local businesses, about two-thirds of which are either women-owned or minority-owned. Held at Artifact Events on the north side of Chicago, Chicago Artisan Market featured more than 100 vendors.

My first stop was a tasty one at the I’ll Cop Those booth, loaded with vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free treats. About 10 years ago, owner Humphrey Banda started his baking journey when he couldn’t find good vegan baked options. I sampled plenty of delicious I’ll Cop Those options.

Being a bottle collector, I was drawn to B-Cycled Bottles, an upcycler turning bottles into glasses. B-Cycled takes alcohol bottles, sands and cuts them, giving them a second life as beautiful glasses. President Brandon Eckenrode proudly displayed many B-Cycled recreations.

Continuing my meandering, I came across Eudell Watts IV and Old Arthur’s Barbecue Sauce. With a history dating back to Arthur Watts in 1837, Old Arthur’s has been passed through five generations. A former slave, Arthur was one of America’s original pitmasters. The story is as amazing as the flavors of the several sauces and rubs.

A table full of colorful collegiate lamps at Dram Good Lamps caught my eye. Owner Jeff Gross creates custom lamps from bottles, with special attention paid to unique details in the body.

I saw many other interesting products and businesses. I ate too much, but it was all in the name of supporting small businesses.

— John Wroblewski, online writer