BEST GARDEN CENTER

Farmers Market

2001 Wabash Ave., 787-1061 “We try to carry nursery quality plants for box store prices,” says Mark Edwards of Farmers Market, which has been operating locally since 1980. Edwards has found that variety is his company’s biggest asset, along with listening to customers’ needs. “I feel it’s important to carry niche items in order to build a following. For instance, everyone carries geraniums, but there are specialty geraniums that perform better and we try to keep those on hand. And we carry over 200 varieties of perennial plants.” For the last 12 years Farmers Market has conducted business year-round in the parking lot area next to the Goodwill at Chatham and Wabash. In addition to a strong following in town, Farmers Market is also frequently visited by plant enthusiasts from the surrounding area, and even Chicago. “They can find these products up there, but at twice the price!” Runner-up: Apple Barn