A fresh start in Downtown
Published 2:26 pm Saturday, June 9, 2018
Robin Martin of the Bakery Bus waits on Margaret Gregory of Franklin. Helping Robin is her sister, Hannah; their mother is Jean Martin, all from Como, North Carolina.
Bobby Varmette, right, watches as Tim Baker of Bubba and Baker's Produce from Boykins writes a receipt.
Shawn Cordova brought a variety of plants from Black Sheep Farm in Courtland.
Patsy Falls smells one of the goat's milk soaps made by Joanne Thompson.
A high-five will get Bandit a treat from Melissa Darden.
Justin Luke McCurry of Smithfield entertained with his music.
Jenny Nelson of Dave and Dee's Homegrown Mushrooms from Sedley talks with fellow vendor Skipp Cook of Rocking RC Pizza from Chuckatuck. The mushrooms that Nelson brought are, from left, oyster, shiitake and lion's mane; chanterelles are behind them.
Annette Blount brought her wares from Unique Designs.
Anne Gray, right, gets assistance from Allison Lilly of Wild Lilly's Holistic Boutique.
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Market on Main open for 2018 season
KENYA SMITH/INTERN
FRANKLIN
On May 30, Market on Main opened for 2018. Held annually in Downtown Franklin, the venue provides local produce and specialty items to the surrounding communities. The event is composed of vendors selling items such as produce, baked goods, local arts and crafts and toiletries.
Forrest Johnson of Johnson Produce and Grilling has been participating since 1979. He started out selling produce and vegetables, and since 2015 he has been in charge of concessions. To Johnson, Market on Main is both beneficial to both the vendors and the public.
“We are able to provide fresh locally grown produce for the community, and it gives local growers and crafters an opportunity to market their products,” he said.
Roy Dickerson, a colleague of Johnson’s, has been selling produce there for 4-5 years, and his produce are sold on the same day they are harvested.
“These produce have no pesticides, herbicides, GMOs, or any type of poison,” said Dickerson, “We even have produce that have been grown for a long time and are hardly found in grocery stores.”
Some of the crops that are sold include corn, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, and rutabagas.
Joanne’s Goat Milk Soaps specializes in soaps and lotions that are made from the main ingredient from her vendor’s namesake. According to the owner, Joanne Thompson, goat’s milk is good for the skin, especially for dryness and eczema. This year is Thompson’s third year in participating in the market, and she believes that the event is an opportunity to draw the community together and to provide food and products.
Black Sheep Farm, located in Courtland, is a family-run farm that specializes in selling bedding plants at affordable prices. They also sell annuals and perennials. For the owner, Shawn Cordova, this is his first year participating in the local market. Although he has worked in engineering, Cordova wanted to do something that he enjoyed.
“I had a discussion with my wife about what I wanted to do,” said Cordova, “and she pointed out that I am always happy when I work in the garden. So, that’s when I decided to work with plants.”
Like Cordova, Roxanne Czewski, owner of Mama Rox, is also new to the scene. Czewski started out selling only natural, chemical free toiletries such as body scrubs and lotions. Now, she has added items such as paintings and bird feeders due to her love of art and crafting. Czewski believes that the location makes it geographically easier for people to shop.
“I live out in Newsoms, and it’s hard for people to come to me. With Market on Main, I can come to them,” she said.
If anyone is interested in attending Market on Main, they will continue every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. until Sept. 5 and every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Nov. 24.
KENYA SMITH is an intern for Windsor Weekly. Contact her at kenya.smith@tidewaternews.com
