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Monareia Wyatt, front, and Kathy Campbell ring up a customer Thursday at the new location for the Boyle County Farmers Market on Main Street in Danville. (Clay Jackson/cjackson@amnews.com / November 9, 2012) |
Now that colder weather has arrived, the Boyle County Farmers Market is moving indoors to 326 W. Main St.
“We were finding that once the market closes, you still have the stuff, but no place to sell it,” said Joyce Taylor, one of the market managers who also sells items under the name of her farm, Knob View.
When the opportunity came to transition indoors, the group grabbed the chance. Sellers say they love what the new location offers them, because they now no longer have to worry about the weather outside.
“We’re warm,” Monareia Wyatt said with a smile. She is from Briar Knob Farm and primarily sells baked goods, such as breads, muffins and biscuits. She also offers homemade granola.
Kathie Campbell-Williams with Big Holler Farm, another member of the market, sells a lot of vegetables, meats and even dog treats.
“We’ve still got a lot (of produce) that’s growing,” she said, explaining that so much of that produce would go to waste because there would be no one to sell it to without the market. However, with the new location, they have been able to offer those products to customers. The group has even seen a growth in the customer base.
“We’ve gotten great responses,” Wyatt said.
Overall, the move has been great for the market, which wouldn’t exist without the love and support of its members.
“We love what we do,” Taylor said.
Those sentiments were echoed by Wyatt. She explained that selling the products is her livelihood. “It’s just what we do.”
There are seven farms that set up and sell products at the market. All are members of the Boyle County Farmers Market, which operates as an organized group with membership. The organization also has been able to become a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Heart of Danville.
While they would all love to remain on Main Street or at a similar indoor location year-round, for now, they plan to remain there only until Dec. 31.
“After that, we’ll meet and decide,” Taylor said, explaining that it would depend on the amount of products still accessible.
Some of the items they will offer at the indoor location include gift baskets for Christmas, all-natural wreaths, jams and jellies, eggs, meats, winter vegetables, and homemade breads and baked goods, including taking orders for cakes, pies and candies for the holidays.
Most of the things found at the farmers market are locally grown items; however, there are some things that simply cannot be gathered in Boyle or one of the surrounding counties. Those are often items that are specifically requested and are labeled with their origin, to help shoppers.
Taylor said they still plan to have the Thanksgiving sale on Nov. 17 and the Christmas sale on Dec. 15, both at the Boyle County Fairgrounds.
SO YOU KNOW
Boyle County Farmers Market has temporarily relocated and set up shop at 326 W. Main St. The hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information about joining the market or shopping there, call (859) 332-2539.
