THE WHEELER MANSION MARKET

The Wheeler Mansion is a magnificent 11-room boutique hotel, located in Chicago’s South Loop. Originally built in 1870, it is one of the last remaining mansions that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. While serving as the manager for this property, I created & produced a weekly farmer's market on the grounds surrounding the hotel.

My goal with this project was to attractattention to the hotel's sleeping rooms and event space capabilities and to introduce the south loop community to their vibrant local food scene.

I secured & managed over thirty vendors, contracted & managed live entertainers weekly, and conceptualized & operated the mansion’s food & beverage tent. Vendor fees, community endorsements, and food & beverage sales supplied a solid additional revenue stream for the season.

In planning the market, I realized that there were many farmers and artisan food producers looking to break into the Chicago farmer’s market circuit—many of the same farmers and small food brands dominant the current market roster throughout the city. The WMM allowed my vendors the opportunity to reach a new customer base, and the market and hotel received glowing reviews, press coverage, and additional business due to the production of the market.  A small nod, but Time Out Chicago selected the market for their 2013 Critic’s Pick "Garden Party of the Year" award.  Cheers to that!

I am no longer with the mansion and unfortunately, ownership has decided to discontinue the market this year due to summer landscaping projects. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for a great south loop market at the mansion year after year.

It was a pleasure creating & managing this event and connecting with so many incredible people. I’d do this again in a heartbeat.