Networking among the right connections was critical to the creation of the new farmers market in Richmond, a long-awaited local business venture running in the city on Thursdays until Oct. 27.
On June 20, the Richmond City Council approved a special event request from Flora’s Trash to Treasure and Heirloom Acres Farms to host the farmers market in the city from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays from June 30 to Oct. 27, except during the Good Old Days Festival, set for Sept. 8 to 11. The market takes place near the veterans memorial park on Main Street and in the municipal parking lot behind the park, in the area between two buildings.
“We are just kind of in hopes that we can bring something really nice, you know, and weekly to Richmond. There is definitely a need. If you have opened Facebook, that is probably one of the biggest things that people ask for,” market organizer Melissa Majchrzak said to the council. “And even when I do my spring market, I have people, constantly, ‘Are you going to do this more often?’ ‘Can you bring the vegetables and fruits?’ and stuff like that So we are willing to give it a try.”
The market hosts independent local farmers, primarily those with organic practices. A variety of farm items are generally available such as fresh produce, flowers, eggs, fresh baked goods, jams, jellies, honey, other farm goods and handmade crafters products.
Stores in the downtown Richmond area near the veterans memorial have extended hours on farmers market dates to promote local shopping.
“I have been putting out feelers for the last, only like, week and a half. And I have 12 signed on, signed on already, prior to us distributing an application,” market organizer Halley Schwab said to the council. “And I have about 15 others who are just figuring out their schedule, waiting to hear more details based on approval.”
City council briefs from June 20 indicate that a few years ago, the city’s Economic Development Corporation attempted to develop a market that would take place on Thursday evenings, but the EDC had difficulty obtaining commitments and finding farming connections. During the meeting, City Manager Jon Moore said the EDC market was attempted prior to COVID-19, but startup proved problematic. The EDC’s purpose is to further economic development in the city through promotion of growth and development of industrial and commercial enterprise, primarily with the objective of business retention and business attraction.
“As a member of the EDC, we have worked, I think it has been 15 years, because we had this idea once. We tried to make it go, it fell down. We never got it launched. We really pushed it a couple of years ago, with an extensive plan, and we never were just able to find the farmers,” Councilor Jamie Greene said. “And so the city of Richmond, we are very supportive of small businesses. And it is incredible that 12 have signed on. That this was just about the right people and the right timing, And I hope that we as a council then, will support them and maybe this could potentially become, come back to EDC, and however we can support them as well.”
Flora’s Trash to Treasure is owned by Majchrzak and located at 69268 N. Main St. in Richmond. It is a shop selling repurposed, vintage and locally made home décor.
Majchrzak said that for the past few years, her business has offered a vintage road trip market the weekend after Mother’s Day. It was with the idea of having a fresh flower pop up shop a few times per month that she reached out to Schwab, the owner of Heirloom Acres Farms, around early June.
“The more we talked the more she told me about some of the fruits and vegetables and things she grows. She is a member of a co-op and so has connections,” Majchrzak said.
Through discussions, Majchrzak and Schwab developed the idea for the farmers market, planning to entice Schwab’s connections into Richmond with a weeknight evening opportunity. Schwab said many independent farmers work a primary job. Majchrzak said many independent farmers are also already booked for larger weekend markets, and evening weekday times can accommodate local working families seeking to shop a farmers market.
“She (Schwab) knows more of the farm end for that stuff, and we have run a market before, so I know that end. So together we will give it a good try and hope to get it off the ground,” Majchrzak said.
Schwab said she has been working to develop a co-op community for some time among Richmond area independent farmers, with the goal of reducing the competition mindset.
“Most of my connections have been just from personal connections, just face to face with contacts I know to get the ball rolling,” Schwab said.
Independent farmers and crafters who register for the entire run of the market pay $20 per week for a roughly 10-by-10 space, or $25 for a week at a time for the same space, Schwab said. Market participants must bring their own tables and related equipment for sales.
Majchrzak said the market is seeking farming participants that are as local as possible, particularly those who live within 30 or 45 minutes of the city.
A Facebook page for the market is also in the works as a way to seek farming and crafter participants for the market.
For more information, email heirloomacreshomestead@gmail.com.
Nicole Tuttle is a freelance reporter for MediaNews Group.
