No Go for Grant Park Farmers Market? Maybe Wheeler Mansion Will Suffice

Remember when we were supposed to get a farmers market in Grant Park last year?  Remember when they said it wasn't going to work out in 2011 because of government bureaucracy?  Remember when they said it would happen in 2012?  A reader writes:

Last year a lot of talk of a farmers market to south end if grant park, but it never materialized. Is it dead? Or will 2012 be the year?

Well we haven't heard a peep about this since then, so is it safe to assume it's this farmers market is dead?  Our guess is yes, but has anyone else heard anything different?

While this may or may not be adequate consolation, if you're in search of a market a reader recently tipped us off to a story about this:

Calling all local artisan food producers. We want you! The Wheeler Mansion is ecstatic to announce our weekly, Wheeler Mansion Market; set to launch this June, on Wednesday nights. The Wheeler Mansion Market features the city’s top local food purveyors, as well as an artfully curated array of vendors featuring antique and repurposed furniture, clothing, jewelry, collectibles, and antiques. 

Two things.  First, looking forward to seeing what the market is about.  It sounds intriguing to us.  Second, how did we not know about the Wheeler Mansion (2020 S. Calumet Avenue)?  Shame on us:

Wheeler Mansion (via wheelermansion.com)

Originally built in 1870, The Wheeler Mansion is one of the last remaining stately mansions that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The residence was among one of the earliest constructed in the South Prairie Avenue neighborhood, home to Chicago’s early mercantile and industrial barons and Chicago’s first “Gold Coast” during the last quarter of the 19th century. After the property’s meticulous restoration in 1999, the city recognized The Wheeler Mansion with the Preservation Excellence Award and the Friends of Downtown Award. The mansion is a Chicago Landmark as well as a National Landmark because of its architectural attributes and important historical significance.

Very intersante.  For those curious, the mansion is now a boutique bed and breakfast.  For more information check out their site.

(Hat tip:  JM & AJ!)