Farmers Market opens May 21 at Shoppes and EastChase

Live music, prizes, and activities for children will highlight the May 21 grand opening of the 18th annual Farmers Market at The Shoppes at EastChase. 

The Market started in 2004 and has become one of the top three markets in Alabama, said Suzanna Wasserman Edwards, marketing director for EastChase.

“The Market has become a staple for Montgomery families. Unlike many other farmers markets, all of our farmers and makers are based in the state of Alabama to ensure that everything you’ll find is 100 percent locally grown in the state of Alabama,” she said.  “We think it is important to provide quality options each year and strive to provide the community with local healthy options. In addition to the vendors and shopping, we offer complimentary children’s activities once a month during the market. Many of the vendors you’ll find have been at the Market since its inception in 2004 and have become our ‘family.’”

The Market will be held each Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon through Sept. 17 in the parking lot near Sephora and H&M. The 2022 edition of the Market will include more than 35 vendors. 

The Blackbird Pickers, a popular local Bluegrass band, will fill the air with music on the opening day for the Market. A bounce house, glitter tattoos and face painting will help entertain children. 

“Our famous garden cart giveaway will feature a product from each of the vendors,” Edwards said, adding that businesses new to the Market will offer items ranging from food to plants. 

New vendors will include Pixel & Polly, a small batch bakery featuring cathead chocolate chip cookies, butterscotch brownies, and buttery danishes. 

“Hickory Grove Farm Granary is a new and special vendor to us. We have worked with the owner, Jennie Weller, on many events over the years and her granary will be a staple at our market this year,” Edwards said. “She’ll have grits, cornmeal, pancake mix, oats and more. They are delicious and will be a new favorite for all of our shoppers. Kito Gardens is new and features Japanese maples and ornamental container plants.”

Edwards said the Market has built a steady following while recently attracting a newer mix of visitors.     

“We have a lot of our regular ‘farmers market shoppers’ who get there early and know exactly what they want,” she said. “But in the last few years we’ve seen a lot of new shoppers who have not been before. They stay longer and enjoy the tradition of going each week and visiting with our vendors. We’re seeing more pets and more families each year, which we love since that is our main focus for being a community shopping center.”

The change in the Market’s location last year to the heart of EastChase near Sephora also has been a big win for EastChase. “The move really helped create a more intimate shopping experience, especially for our vendors,” Edwards said.