There’s a new market in town. Aurora Downtown recently opened Art and Market Aurora, an indoor market at Society 57 on the corner of Benton and River Streets. The market features a dozen food and artisan vendors from 8 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month through the end of May.
The first market January 23 featured meat, bakery goods, doughnuts, granola, soaps, jewelry, used books, candles, body oils and bath bombs, photography, chai, and more. Society 57 was open with coffee and menu items, including bottled cocktails to-go.
Each market date will have both returning and new vendors to keep a fresh mix of businesses to support. The four-hour window allows for seniors, those with disabilities, and at-risk, or vulnerable populations to visit the market early. Those groups are encouraged to visit the market between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m..
Aurora Downtown hired Arella Swan, a resident at Artesan Lofts on Stolp Avenue, to greet market-goers and keep count of shoppers to adhere to current capacity guidelines.
Shoppers were greeted by the smell of fresh doughnuts from Aurora favorite Dick’s Mini Donuts. Across from Dick Schindel’s booth, Chris Lang was selling the “World’s Greatest Cookie” at Lang’s Cookies.
Bhoomi Chai Co. sold bags of traditional chai tea along with instructions for proper brewing. Culture Stock had a selection of used books and fun coffee mugs for sale to benefit the arts and culture nonprofit.
Biscocho’s sold out of their baked goods just as the market ended. Juanita is a favorite at the Aurora Farmers Market, and shoppers are happy to see her return in off-season.
Carisa at Ursula Naturals often sets up outside of Zen Loft Wellness Center on Downer Place during First Fridays in the summer months. Her heart-shaped bath bombs were popular at the indoor market.
Phil Wooding is furloughed from Paramount Theatre, so he and his wife, Katie, started Ghost Light Candles in the interim. Their hand-poured candles come in eclectic secondhand finds, and were a popular market item.
Another popular Aurora Farmers Market vendor, Tin Shed Farm was set up with granola, soaps, lip balm, and more from a Sycamore farm. BillyDoe Meats had catalogs for people to select quality meats that were grabbed from a freezer truck parked outside.
Crystal Ship Jewelry, an Alley Art Fest vendor, will be at the market regularly with handmade jewelry.
Famed Aurora photographer Perry Slade joins the indoor market on select market dates with his art and local photographs.
New February 13, PJ Mitten Tree will join the market with handmade Winter mittens similar to those recently made popular by Bernie Sanders at the presidential inauguration. The mittens are made with recycled wool sweaters and no two are alike.
For access, you can visit the market in person, or online. Vendor links are available at auroradowntown.org/market.
Marissa Amoni is the manager of Aurora Downtown, a nonprofit of business and property owners in downtown’s Special Service Area. The group’s funds are used to promote and beautify downtown, organize and promote events, and help downtown business owners.