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
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Apr 8, 2025The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection Celebrates 100 Years
Washington, D.C.’s, The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection is celebrating its 100th anniversary with historical exhibits, sophisticated cocktails and a once-in-a-lifetime bookable hotel offer. Known as the Grande Dame of Washington, the hotel has been the backdrop for countless historic events.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Marks Five Years with oneworld: Strengthening Connectivity Between USA and Africa and Expanding Global Reach
Royal Air Maroc proudly enters its fifth year as a member of the prestigious oneworld alliance. Since joining in April 2020, RAM has demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as a dynamic airline that enhanced its digital services and expanded its network. The airline plans to grow its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037, reinforcing its global presence.
April 2025
Apr 8, 2025Australia’s Amazing Gold Coast Buzzes with Family-Friendly Activities
In Springbrook National Park, about 90 minutes south of Brisbane, the sky is aglow. But this isn’t the sort of glittery glimmer I expected from Australia’s buzzy Gold Coast. I’d heard about the sun-dappled beaches framed with scintillating sand, the sunscreen-slathered bodies at play, the way the ocean water whirls with what looks like bits of gold dust, the amusement parks, the meter maids clad in bikinis, and the high-rise hotels with their reflective-mirrored windows and popular bars that blare tunes beside the waves. Before arriving at what I imagined to look a bit like Miami’s South Beach in places (and it does along the coast in parts), I hadn’t focused much on thoughts of ancient trees, rugged outback and night skies luminous with glowworms. This nighttime nature foray, however, shows me another version of the Gold Coast ... one where nocturnal safaris veritably light up my life.
Daily
Apr 8, 2025A Quick 2025 Summer Guide to Maine
With summer travel coming up, more and more travelers plan trips to Maine. The destination has something to offer every type of traveler, from quaint coastal towns to cities and villages bordering a national park.
Sponsored Content
Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive
Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.
Daily
Apr 8, 2025Luxury HQ Resort & Residences to Take Over Celebrated Hodges Bay Resort in Antigua
HQ Hotels & Residences, the lifestyle hospitality brand spearheaded by entrepreneur Sam Nazarian, through a strategic alliance with Wyndham and its Registry Collection Hotels brand, opens its debut resort, renaming the Caribbean’s deluxe Hodges Bay Resort and adding HQ Luxury Resort and Residences onto the name. The new property will bring new on-site venues and amenities, as well as introduce Sam Nazarian’s reputation as an innovator.
A World of Wellness
April 2025
Apr 6, 2025April 2025
Apr 6, 2025Good to Go
As usual, we have a lot going on at Global Traveler. We are about to start our efforts with the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center Roundup Gala, to be held Oct. 24 in Philadelphia. The organization asked me to serve as cochair with John Kelley, a member of the Advisory Board of FXExpress Publications, Inc. Last year’s event surpassed that of 2023, so we have big shoes to fill for 2025.
Sponsored Content
Madrid: The Charm of an Authentic City
They say Madrid is in vogue for many reasons: its lifestyle, its heritage, its cuisine and all of its new attractions. And it’s true, because Madrid is on the radar of travelers looking for a cutting-edge destination that still holds onto its essence. Join us as we explore its charms.
Daily
Apr 4, 2025Which European Cities Have the Best, Worst Metro Networks?
International luggage storage company Bounce researched Europe’s metro services across the continent’s capital cities and made some interesting discoveries.
ShareThis