New at Downtown farmers market: spirits
When the Market Square Farmers Market opens Thursday, customers will be able to shop for breakfast radishes, breads and ... booze?
Thanks to a change in state liquor laws, distilleries and breweries can join wineries in buying permits to sell at farmers markets. Two distillers plan to attend the Downtown market on Thursdays as part-time vendors: Wigle in the Strip District and McLaughlin in Sewickley Hills. They’ll be joined by a maker of cider and mead: KingView of Pleasant Hills.
Distillery owner Kim McLaughlin says he’s “looking forward to being able to share our products,” including complimentary samples, on opening day, as well as on May 18, Aug. 17 and Sept. 14.
Also new this year are several vendors who will be there every week: Alpha Farms — produce. Andrews Farm Market — fruits and some seasonal vegetables.
Brenckle’s Organic Farm & Greenhouse — certified organic produce.
City Fresh Pasta — fresh pasta, ravioli, pierogi, gnocchi, sauces, pesto, soups.
LaScola’s — Italian ice and frozen custard.
Ohio Farm Direct — organic cheese from 100 percent grass-fed cows (land and cows certified organic).
The Pickled Chef — Seasonal pickled produce, condiments and sauces, including sauerkraut, kimchi, dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, beets, okra, hot sauce.
They will join two dozen vendors who are returning to the market, which runs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. each Thursday through October. There’s free live music from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, the market’s sponsor, updates visiting vendors on its website, downtownpittsburgh.com, and its e-newsletter.
This week’s email teased the start of a weekly night market on Market Square starting May 13. According to information on the website, the market will run from 5-10 p.m. Like the night markets held during Friday Pittsburgh Cultural Trust gallery crawls, it will feature a range of independent vendors selling “handmade jewelry, fashion, art, crafts and smallbatch culinary items. It will also include revolving grab-n-go street eats, interactive games and entertainment.”