Rockford residents and vendors come together for last City Market of the year

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — As Rockford closes the door on another successful year of City Market, one vendor said this year felt like the good old days.

“It’s been a great experience for me. Like I said, meeting new people, having a lot of return customers,” said Why Envy Boutique Owner Shantinee Cross.

Fellow venders said they will miss that connection they have grown since middle of May.

“When we do Pop ups, a lot of times you do need someone new and a lot of times we all exchange information,” said Cross. “Either it can be as either as the where the next event is or information on where we can get products for our tents for set up, you know, or supplies where you could go purchase materials to make things.”

For those in attendance it was all about finding that business they did not even know was right in their backyard.

“You get such a diverse group of like the little shops and all the shops are pretty much here locally. So you could find somebody online and you don’t have to go to the suburbs, you don’t have to go out in the middle of nowhere to go find them,” said John. “They’re right here in your backyard. Plus, you get a nice sense of pride like, Hey, I’m shopping locally.”

Vendors and Residents alike were helping each other. Those handing out said it was a joy to bump into friends or make new ones.

“All these food trucks, I might know some. I’m a I’m a teacher, so I know some kids that their parents have food trucks,” said John. “And if their food trucks are here, I know that money’s going back to those kids. So, it’s really nice to have that little extra connection to the community coming to places like this.”

North End City Market will run until October 26th. North End focuses on local farmers and growers.

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