Fulton Market merchants are eager for visitors to stop in anytime, but especially this Saturday (Oct. 13), at the recurring open house known as Explore Fulton Market.

It’s an opportunity to introduce the funky neighborhood to people from the city or ‘burbs who aren’t familiar with the area.

“Explore Fulton Market has been going on for a number of years,” said sculptor Jeffrey Breslow, who ran the spring event and is handling it again this weekend.

“The idea is to show Chicago at large what a unique neighborhood we have with restaurants, galleries and shops that rival any in town,” he said.

Explore Fulton Market will take place from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, with a number of shops, restaurants and galleries participating, shown on this map.

Some of those businesses are offering special incentives to attract visitors, and there will be cash prizes (up to $300) for a few urban explorers who win “Explore Fulton Market Poker.” Rules are available here.

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By Larry from West Loop
Posted: 10/15/2012 10:50 AM

@Dan: Typical comment from a typical overweight, out-of-touch guy who doesn't get out of the house much. If you'd care to step outside on a weekday morning, you'd notice that bikes have literally taken over. They're everywhere, and not going away. It's only a matter of time before the traffic laws in Fulton Market catch up with the rest of the area. And where are you getting that bikers = yuppies? Lack of education. Bikes are everywhere, stay on the sidewalk (cowering), where you belong.

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By Dan from Near Westside
Posted: 10/13/2012 1:36 AM

Bill and Larry, Typical yuppie comments. Please move to the suburbs. This industry was here long before you decided to ride your bike through their work place. You yupsters really need to stick to Lakeview where you belong. My gosh, complaining about fork lifts interupting your bike ride. The good news is you\'ll be leaving the city very soon because we can clearly tell that you have every intention of moving to Wilmette someday soon. Leave now!

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By Dan from Near Westside
Posted: 10/13/2012 1:36 AM

Bill and Larry, Typical yuppie comments. Please move to the suburbs. This industry was here long before you decided to ride your bike through their work place. You yupsters really need to stick to Lakeview where you belong. My gosh, complaining about fork lifts interupting your bike ride. The good news is you'll be leaving the city very soon because we can clearly tell that you have every intention of moving to Wilmette someday soon. Leave now!

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By claudeah from united center
Posted: 10/12/2012 4:26 PM

If you live by an airport, don't complain about the planes. It's an industrial area and protected as such. Avoid the hastle and use the bike lanes down Lake. The city put up some nice protected ones lately and took away street parking. And before you say anything, I used to ride my bike to work regularly into the loop, both from Lakeview when I lived there and from the United Center area, until I messed up my back. Have done it a few times since, but there are other routes to take.

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By Bill Motchan from West Loop
Posted: 10/12/2012 2:29 PM

Larry is correct about the forklifts zipping around, making a stroll down Fulton Market something of a challenge. The forklifts and trucks carrying animal guts came to mind when I described the area as "gritty."

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By Larry from West Loop
Posted: 10/12/2012 11:32 AM

I love the Fulton Market area as I ride my bike through it every single weekday of the year. What I DON\'T like, however, are the forklifts going the wrong way on the streets all day, trucks ignoring stop signs, and trucks parked illegally and haphazardly all over the streets. The alderman needs to put his foot down and enforce some strict vehicle standards or everyone suffers.

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By Anonymous
Posted: 10/11/2012 9:35 PM

Fulton Market, pioneering...gritty? Thank those people who came there a decade ago. The WL is a family friendly neighborhood filled with high six digit condos, great schools, posh parks and high end restaurants. Nice try, but WL is no longer a pioneering or gritty neighborhood. Pioneering and gritty has relocated West of Western. Even Ashland is considered pretty cushy these days.