Ravinia Farmers Market Inspires Startups
A small gathering of merchants has thrived on Dean Avenue for 32 years.
After the Magic Pan crepe stand in Northbrook Court shut down in June, Kathia Jones and her brother Gustavo Cruz were out of their crepe-making jobs. So they created their own. "When they closed down," Cruz said, "We decided to start our own business." Inspired by a story told to them, the siblings have avoided the trappings of a brick-and-mortar job site in favor of the business incubating atmosphere of the farmers market. "A farmers market is a great place for a small business to start," said Jones of Gata Bee Crepes. Last Wednesday morning, the Ravinia Farmers Market was bustling with vendors sharing similar philosophies. The tent-lined venue has been around since 1978 and has inspired such loyalty that vegetable vendor Denis Giles hasn…
