Dose Market launching June 5

Four Chicago tastemakers have joined forces to bring Chicago a year-round, monthly "European-style" market: Dose Market, debuting June 5 at the River East Art Center. The vendors at Dose have been selected by a group of people with quite a bit of experience scouting the city for emerging food and fashion artisans: Heather Sperling (the editor of Tasting Table Chicago), Emily Fiffer (the editor of DailyCandy Chicago), April Francis (The Haute Closet) and Time Out Chicago's own Associate Shopping & Style Editor Jessica Herman. Together they've amassed an array of vendors: the first market will feature a mix of food (Rare Bird Preserves, Old Town Social charcuterie), drink (Jo Snow Syrups, Crop to Cup coffee), clothes (Deliciously Vintage), jewelery (Mineralogy) and more (Suitor stationery).

The idea for a market originated with Francis, who wanted to fill the void created by the closing of the many fashion boutiques hit by the recession. "She mentioned it to Emily [Fiffer]," Sperling recalls, "and Emily said, wait a minute: Since my friend Heather moved here, she's been talking about her fantasy of creating a Chicago version of Brooklyn Flea." Sperling admits she is obsessed with the Flea—a weekly showcase of New York–area artisans—and she hopes that Dose will serve a similar role as an incubator for up-and-coming talent. Each month, the group plans to introduce new vendors; down the line, you might see anyone from established chefs like HotChocolate's Mindy Segal to brand-new faces like the folks behind Real Kitchen. 

The first Dose Market is Sunday, June 5 from 10am–4pm at River East Art Center (435 E Illinois St). Tickets are $10 at the door.