Farmer’s market brings fresh produce to Broadway

“When we planned this event, we had no idea that the Indians would even be in the World Series.”

— Luke Theall, property manager

Fans of fresh fruits and veggies got their first glimpse of the Lorain’s new farmer’s market Oct. 26.

For those who were willing to brave the rain and didn’t mind missing a bit of the Indians game, the Pirate Gardens Harvest Market, held in 668 Broadway Ave., brought together vendors from across the region selling farm fresh produce and other goods.

The night was a dry run of a biweekly market that would run through spring, summer and fall of next year. The regular market should begin in April, according to Luke Theall, property manager for Lorain developer Gary Davis, who owns the property.

Theall said that he was hoping to see around 150 people at the event, but he realized that with the second game of the World Series being played in Cleveland many people wouldn’t be able to attend.

“When we planned this event, we had no idea that the Indians would even be in the World Series,” he said.

Tyler Gogolek, operator of Tyler’s Farm, 45480 E. Hamilton St. in Oberlin, said that his farm goes to about eight markets in the area and the trouble with starting a new one is getting people to come.

“Everybody knows when something first starts out, it’s basically to get your name out there and try to get a presence,” he said. “It takes time to establish a following; it doesn’t just happen overnight.”

Tyler also said that when the market becomes a permanent fixture in downtown Lorain, his farm would be happy to return. He also said his stand received a fair amount of foot traffic for the opening night.

“Tonight, it is decent for an opening night,” he said.

Despite the fact that fresh food fans weren’t lined up out the door, Theall said that he has every intention of starting the full market in the spring.

“You have to start somewhere, and I certainly would never pull the plug even if there was a poor response,” Theall said.