I've been looking for vegetable seedlings for some perennial plants in hopes I'll find new and interesting varieties. I've discovered that, at least on the Northside, there are a number of Mom-and-Pop greenhouses that are hidden right in the middle of a neighborhood. Many people know about Anton's in Evanston, but recently I found these two:
Urhausen Greenhouse Inc.
6973 N East Prairie Rd,
Lincolnwood, IL -
(847) 675-1573
They seem to have a focus on flowers, but did indeed have vegetable seedlings - most interestingly, carrot and beet seedlings (never seen them as seedlings) They had a large variety of standard hothouse green peppers, hot peppers and tomatoes, some brassicas, some swiss chard and what looked to be a fairly large variety of herb plants.
West End Florist & Garden Center
3800 Old Glenview Rd
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 251-1943
http://www.westendflorist.com
This greenhouse, just a little way north of the UBAA, wasn't yet putting out plants for the summer when I was there in March, so I didn't get a chance to find out what kinds of things they carried, but the proprieters were very solicitous, asking several times if there was anything they could bring in for me when the season started.
Are there "hidden" greenhouses in your neighborhood?
Anton's Greenhouse
1126 Pitner Ave
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 864-1134
http://www.antonsgreenhouses.com