Galleria Featuring Local Artists Opening Soon On Sherman

The owners of Andersonville Galleria have brought their arsenal of local crafters from Chicago to Evanston twice for pop-up markets at the holidays, most recently to a vacant storefront at 1627 Sherman Ave. in December 2012. 

Now, they’ll be bringing the store featuring handmade clothing, jewelry, beauty products and other items to Evanston full time. 

Want to be the first to know about new businesses in Evanston? Sign up for our free newsletter.

“After we did the first pop-up, customers asked us, ‘When are you opening up a permanent location?’” says assistant manager Ken Puttbach. 

After two successful pop-up markets, he continues, it was clear that the Evanston community seemed like a natural fit and provided a great opportunity to expand.

“Evanston is open to a lot of different things and supportive of local businesses,” he said.

Andersonville Galleria, at 5247 N. Clark St. in Chicago, has been open for more than five years and rents space to 90 local vendors who sell a variety of artwork, home furnishings, antiques, photography and other handmade items. Customers wend their way through three levels crammed with small displays from each vendor.

The Evanston Galleria will open for business March 29 at 1627 Sherman Ave., in the same space where this December’s pop-up market was held. The double storefront location is smaller than the one in Andersonville, but will provide some opportunities to showcase vendors works in the front windows, according to Puttbach.

“There will probably be between 30 and 40 local businesses and artists under one roof,” he said. “A very eclectic mix.” 

Puttbach said his team is working to compile a list of vendors who want to rent space in Evanston. Those may include Evanston artists, he said, depending on their interest. 

“All of our vendors are Chicagoland-based,” he said. “I’m pretty sure there will be some vendors new to the store.”

He did not yet know whether they would be hiring any staff members. 

The Evanston location’s hours will mirror those of the Andersonville Galleria, which is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday; from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.