Farmers’ market finishes another successful year
Pelissier Street location remains a hit with residents and vendors alike
The Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market wound up its season Saturday just as it began — with near perfect weather and a bustling crowd of shoppers.
Visitors crowded into tents lining Pelissier Street and Maiden Lane looking for the last fresh vegetables of the harvest season or something yummy to tantalize their tastebuds.
Reannon Price strolled along with husband Eric Welton as their daughter Juniper Welton, two, happily bobbed between rows of veggies until she found a basket of carrots that were particularly interesting.
“We’re here almost every Saturday,” Price said. “We like to get a snack while we’re here, like a late breakfast.
“It’s very much a social experience (being) out enjoying the morning and talking to people.”
Price said she and her husband love the Pelissier Street location because it is open and not too crowded.
The couple, who don’t live far from the downtown location, usually ride bikes to the market. But because Price is far along in her pregnancy, they left the bikes at home on Saturday.
The not-for-profit outdoor market opened in May for its second season on Pelissier Street. Vendors line up every Saturday morning to hawk all kinds of products — meat, fish, jams and jellies, flowers, produce and even wine.
Artist Amy Lock and her mom, Anne Riberdy, were busy selling pumpkins and hand-painted gourd birdhouses Saturday morning.
“It’s a fun social experience,” Lock said.
“We’re finding it less of an art market,” Riberdy said. “It’s more of a food market but still it’s a lot of fun and it gives us time to spend time together.”
The gourds are grown at Riberdy’s Wheatley farm, then dried and painted.
“Since they’re for the garden, I try to get most of my inspiration from nature,” Lock said while cradling her 15-month-old son Oliver.
“I asked my parents to grow more and since I have a little one, this is what I’m doing for a job this year.”
Vendor Rob Bouchard of Bouchard Gardens said this was the eighth season the Harrow family farm sold produce at the market.
“It’s been a really, really busy year,” Bouchard said. “It’s been the best we’ve had so far.
“The location’s nice. It’s nice that they close down the road.”
Bouchard attributed some of his success to the fact he is at the market every Saturday.
“When you come every week … we have the customers that we know are coming that we kind of save things for,” he said. “They always come.
“By far we did much better than last year. I think we’re up about 20 per cent (and we’re) coming back next year.”
Larry Horwitz, president of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, agreed the market has been a “blowout” hit this year.
Horwitz said it is an economic driver for the downtown area that adds to its walkability and livability.
“It’s an overwhelming success (and) definitely something that’s needed downtown,” Horwitz said.
He said the DWBIA, which funds the market, is looking at more permanent signage, displays and fixtures for next year and he will soon bring some ideas to city council about expanding the market.
We like to get a snack while we’re here, like a late breakfast. It’s very much a social experience (being) out enjoying the morning and talking to people.