Agora Market — Local services in West Chicago Township

Holy Grail has been found!!!!! First off let me say that in all my years of traveling throughout many cities I have found some pretty amazing places along my great way. I’d never would have expected to find this unbelievable gem located in Chicago!!! My findings were simply by mistake as I did not intend to specifically visit this marketplace. I was over parched and was needing a place that I could get in and out of quickly, as I was running a little behind to meet up with some clients, and out of nowhere this Fresh Marketplace catches my eye. Immediately it was an indescribable feeling of magnetism pulling me toward it as if I had zero control over myself. Tiny angelic voices whispered in my head singing AHHHHHHH and the storefront was glowing brighter than the Las Vegas Strip. Without hesitation I whipped my 911 into the parking lot hopped out and skipped, yes I know what your thinking no one skips anymore, up to the front door like I was following the yellow brick road. I couldn’t help myself. When I walked through the doors there was an immediate sense of comfort and tranquility. I was just blown away that a marketplace could provide this aura of feelings! I felt that as if this was some dream. No way possible in Chicago the Fresh Marketplace was providing comfort of this level to random locals and tourists ! The staff was friendlier than going to Chick-fil-a. These findings just simply do not exist anymore! I guess I kind of looked as if I was in complete awe when I was approached by the owner! He comforted me and reassured me that this place was everything that I describes to him! He gave me a quick tour around. I felt as if I was the Grand Marshall in the Thanksgiving Day Parade!! It was that level of excitement. The selections were endless and my sense of being overjoyed I quickly finished up by grabbing a water along with a fruit basket that looked like something the late Michaelangelo pieced together. I patiently and anxiously entered the checkout where again the owner greeted me for my final departure. I began to get emotional from this experience. I believe the owner’s name was Paul. He shook my hand and said “Thank you for coming in to visit us today sir, your items are on the house”. I just couldn’t believe that He would offer such a gesture! Needless to say if your ever in the Chicago area and wanting an amazing tour do not hesitate to visit the Holy Grail of marketplaces!!!! The Fresh Marketplace will be a future annual...

I had such high hopes for this place. It was close to home, it had an interesting selection of products but sadly after a couple of years of going there I have opted to never set foot in this place again. Here's the story: One day I was in there at the meat counter looking to buy some tuna steak. There were three guys behind the counter, to of them older guys (who were just standing around) that I'd seen before and one young kid (who was adding breadcrumbs to raw chicken with his bare hands)who was new. There was no one else waiting to be served. The first of the two older guys looked me right in the eyes, said nothing, and then walked into the back. Then the second order guy did the same. It felt personal somehow, like they had an axe to grind(I have no idea what I might have done to be singled out like this). Now it was just me waiting to be served and this young guy with his bare hands all up in this raw chicken in the middle of a pandemic. It took several minutes for this guy to realize I was there. I hadn't asked for his help since I saw he was busy I figured I could wait. When he noticed me he turned, asked me what I wanted and reached for a glove from a box on top of the counter. He hadn't cleaned his hands, they were still covered with raw chicken and whatever he was adding to it. It was the most disturbing customer service experience I've had in a grocery store. I told him I had changed my mind and I never went back. Clearly this young guy had no training and the older guys had no interest in customer service or courtesy. There are a lot of places to shop in this town. There's no need to put up with that kind...

As long as they've been open, this has been my favorite neighborhood market. They have excellent meats and fish. Their fish is really high quality, and I purchased it on a weekly basis. The fruits and vegetables are very fresh and very high quality. I purchased a brisket here that I cooked for Christmas a couple of years ago and it was a hit. Organics are available also. They have extensive meat-free substitutes and sausages. The dairy section is small by very complete, including items like creme fraiche. They have Publican breads! The grocery section is also moderately sized but complete with everything you need for baking. It also has a lot of ethnic items. There are also a lot of contemporary items like quinoa and other grains and pastas. I find they are never out of anything, so whoever writes orders does a very good job. The store is very clean. The manager is friendly, he recognizes me and greets me. I only have one criticism, and that is, there are no sales/specials. Or if there are, it's not clear that there are any. But that's not enough to ding it a star, it's a minor concern because it's not a place where you would, say, stock up for a week or two, but it's excellent for the weekday meal prep. OK, one more criticism is that the Sicilian Italian sausage is too spicy, it should be sweet with fennel, not hot. We moved recently and I already...