This morning, the Bensidoun Family and U.S. Equities Realty announced that the many-years-in-the-works Chicago French Market in the West Loop is officially set to open Thursday, December 3. The year-round, six-day-a-week indoor market includes local artisans offering everything from cheese and prepared foods (Pastoral) to pastries (Vanille Patisserie) to belgian frites (Frietkoten). Last week, Sebastien Bensidoun (see photo 9, on the right next to his father), whose family operates a number of outdoor and indoor markets in Europe and in the United States, took me on a brief walk-through of the market, which is in a large, formerly vacant section of Ogilvie Transportation Center. TOC photographer Andrew Nawrocki tagged along and took some photos (above), although I can only assume the place is looking quite different already.

131 N Clinton St (312-575-0306). Mon–Fri 7:30am–7:30pm; Sat 8:30am–6m (closed Sun).