Bensidoun USA Opens Outdoor French Market at Prudential Plaza

The French market concept that embodies the notion of buying local and fresh has made its way to the Shops at Prudential Center (130 E. Randolph Dr.). This Wednesday marked a successful opening day with a healthy turnout of area shoppers. Managed by Bensidoun USA, this is their second installation of the outdoor market in Chicago. Their first Chicago open-air market is located at the Nettelhorst School campus in the Lakeview neighborhood.

The European style market is now open every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until September 26 — offering community members an unique opportunity to shop from local produce, artisan crafts and more provincial goods. 

Public markets have been a long-standing tradition in Europe — a place where people would gather daily to choose from the best merchandise their geographic region had to offer. The model is now coupled with sustainability as citizens aim to be more responsible consumers.  Bensidoun USA operates a variety of markets each catered to their specific communities.

“What really makes our French Markets unique is the support of the local communities where we operate,” said Sebastien Bensidoun, executive vice-president of Bensidoun USA. “Over the years, we’ve seen businesses grow and flourish in an often challenging economy. The Bensidoun family is truly devoted to supporting local small businesses and creating meaningful relationships within the communities it serves. Many of our vendor and customer relationships go back 15 years to the very beginning of our US efforts.” 

In 1953, Rolland Bensidoun, like his father and grandfather before him, began managing open-air markets in France. For nearly 60 years, Rolland Bensidoun expanded his operations, introducing his sons, Pascal and Sebastien to the family-run and operated business. Today, The Bensidoun Family manage 32 markets in the City of Paris including six indoor markets, the Famous Antique market of Porte de Vanves and the world famous certified organic market "Marche Raspail", as well as in New York, Michigan and the Chicagoland area. For more information, please visit http://www.bensidounusa.com.