Chicago French Market presented with Friends of Downtown’s “Welcome to Downtown” Award

Non-profit civic group Friends of Downtown presented Chicago French Market (131 N. Clinton St., Chicago; 312-575-0306) with the “Welcome to Downtown” award at the organization’s annual awards presentation Wednesday, May 5 at ZED 451 in Chicago’s River North neighborhood.

Accepting the award on behalf of Chicago French Market, U.S. Equities Realty and the Bensidoun family were Jennifer Siragusa of U.S. Equities Realty and Chicago French Market manager Leslie Cahill.

“Chicago French Market, U.S. Equities Realty and the Bensidoun Family are honored for the recognition by Friends of Downtown,” said Sebastien Bensidoun of the Bensidoun family, owners and operators of Chicago French Market and other farmers’ and French markets throughout the Chicago suburbs and Paris metro area. “We truly feel we have been welcomed to downtown Chicago.”

Other award winners included “Coolest Things,” The Ledge at Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower (also managed by U.S. Equities Realty); “Best Commemoration,” Burnham Plan Centennial; “Quality of Life,” CTA Bus Tracker; “Best New Open Space,” The Riverwalk Extension; “Life Boat,” Water Taxis; “Best Restoration,” Sullivan Center Ironwork; “Best New Office Building,” 300 N. LaSalle; “Best New Building,” Trump International Hotel & Tower; and “Best Ripple Effect,” Aqua.

Founded in 1981, Friends of Downtown is a not-for-profit civic group that promotes intelligent planning, superior design and awareness of important issues affecting Chicago’s downtown area. Friends of Downtown creates awareness of important issues affecting downtown, enabling citizens to develop their understanding and voice their opinions of Chicago’s physical and social environment. For more information on Friends of Downtown, call (312) 458-9454 or visit http://www.friendsofdowntown.org/.

Chicago French Market is a European-inspired market offering an array of local produce, meats, seafood, breads, pastries, cheese and wine, chocolates, pastas, artisan-made goods, flowers and a seating area for customers. Chicago French Market’s 30 vendors stay open year-round, six days per week, and is located within the new MetraMarket development at 131 N. Clinton St. (between Washington and Randolph Streets). For more information, visit http://www.chicagofrenchmarket.com/.