Reflecting upon memories of his and Meme’s ties to the market, Gary recalls, “We heard that SOAR was thinking about a neighborhood Farmers Market, what a wonderful idea – that was something we wanted to work on. We LOVE Farmers Markets, everything about them. Meeting with the farmers, experiencing the fresh foods so recently pulled out of the ground and sampling the abundance of goods. How could we help in getting this endeavor going?” 

The Hopmayer’s repertoire includes having owned a Streeterville market called Fox and Obel; a company that sold pastries to Starbucks called Original American Scones; as well as Gary having introduced Bread to the Corner Bakery. Meme and Gary had always worked on markets for The American Institute of Wine and Food and had experience in Food Markets in general so when the SOAR Farmers Market was announced they were excited to be a part of it. (Back then – and ten years later – we are so grateful they were!)  They are also devoted parents of four who love to spend time with their eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.