That’s the application for the Hinsdale Farmers Market and it’s $25.00 just to submit. I don’t love that but I don’t really have a choice because we’re talking about suburban farmers markets. And specifically, Hinsdale is a well oiled machine and there’s approximately a 0.0% chance that I have any pull or influence to negotiate. In life, we call this paying the toll. Just shut up and do it or move on.
I have decided to shut up and pay the $25 fee.
Only question is do I go $500 for a full 18 sessions or do I take a part time booth at half the cost?
This is a Monday Farmers market and my preferred choice to start the week because Hinsdale is awesome and I like those people a lot. It would be very easy for me to post up every week in a community that I respect as much as Hinsdale. And I think June-August is ripe to be posting up outside and slinging tallow balm. So if I had to pick, I’m leaning 9 weeks as a limited engagement vendor.
But then I think about the fall rush when skin starts to change with the temperature and elements. October would be a nice lead in to the holidays, and I need a big push around November. So I don’t want to give up that momentum for the sake of being a 50% part-time vendor. It’s either start strong or close strong and now I’m not sure.
And then option C is of course unload a monster paycheck for $500 of full seasonal booth space. 200 square feet of Sterk Family Farms every Monday morning in Hinsdale for 18 weeks actually sounds really appealing. But I don’t want to lose steam in July after a couple big weekends gassing cold ones and having a good time. So I’m a little nervous about the 7am start time for 18 straight weeks.
Ultimately I need to grow a pair of balls and commit to 18 weeks. Especially with the Cubs only having 1 Monday day game all season long – September 1st at home against Atlanta. There’s really no excuse or reason otherwise, which is why I’m happy to make a final decision.
I will be a Hinsdale Farmers Market guy this year on Mondays from 7am-1pm. It’s gonna cost me $500 up front but I actually think we make that back by the end of week 2. Especially if I can get some air support from my retired Mother to help me sell balms to her peer group. That’s the secret weapon although it’s probably going to cost me the commission because she’s a shrewd business woman.
All this to say I have submitted my application with my $25.00 processing fee. Stay tuned for more developments as I piece together the 2025 Farmers Market schedule.