Indoor Farm Market Winter can’t stop shopping scene at the Mercato By Erin Crowell Brick and stone shelter local shoppers from frigid temps at Building 50 of the Grand Traverse Commons. Nestled in the hills on the west side of town, the old state asylum turned trendy condo/retail site is now home to an indoor farmers market, happening every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in The Village, a community of shops and restaurants located on the garden level -- or Mercato -- of the building. The farmers market is no longer just a summer destination. With so much focus on buying local, it’s only a matter of accommodation – hosting vendors year-round in an accessible location, sans weather conditions. “The Village is reminiscent of an old-world marketplace where people engage in meaningful human interactions – a community gathering place,” says Mini Minervini, marketing director at the Commons. The winter indoor market is simply an answer to what happens to The Village’s outdoor summer market once the weather turns south. You’ll find the same quality goods at this indoor market, along with all the Village shops of the Commons, including Boutique A La Vie, Premier Floral, Silver Fox Jewelry, Creation Farm, Gallery 50 and many more.
THE LOCAL MARKET “It’s awesome,” says vendor Katie Kearney of Naturally Nutty in Traverse City. “There needs to be more of this. It keeps the local market going.” Naturally Nutty specializes in all types of nut and seed butters including their butter toffee peanut butter, white chocolate cherry almond butter, mocha peanut butter and organic sunflower and pumpkin seed butters, among others. Kearney is one of several vendors at the Village Farmers Market. It’s only the inaugural year, but this season has turned out big crowds and profitable sales. “The initial response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic… and three-fold,” says Minervini. She gives three reasons why. “One, market-goers’ demands for fresh and wholesome locally-grown and locally-produced goods, and their enthusiasm in supporting local farmers do not diminish because of the cold weather. Two, the growing season isn’t over simply because outdoor markets close at the end of the summer; and three, the market generates a significant amount of pedestrian traffic and sales for Village merchants.” Overall, it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
EXTENDED SEASON Local farms like First Fruits of Mancelona make the weekly market a priority. Every Saturday, Ben and Jed Flynn of First Fruits make the hour-long drive to Traverse City to sell their fruits, breads and jams. They still have a few bushels of apples available, ranging from Honeycrisp and Galas, to Fugis and Ida reds. “The indoor market allows farmers to extend their season, generate income over the winter months, and (give customers) their exceptional winter-variety of produce and products,” says Minervini. These include free-range chicken and emu, farm eggs, hormone-free and grass-fed meats and dairy products, fresh baked goods, fruits, vegetables and so much more, says Minervini. Some vendors offer specialty products, like Dennetts Gluten Free Creations in Buckley, who, along with their gluten-free foods, offer almost completely dairy-free products. Other vendors include Leelanau Cultured Veggies, Brimmers Honey, Herbs and More, Ralph Humes Desserts, Natural Northern Foods; among multiple Northern Michigan farms.
The Village Indoor Farmers Market runs every Saturday through May, then will move outdoors for the summer season. It is located on the grounds of the Grand Traverse Commons, 1200 West 11th St. in Traverse City. For more information on the Village Farmers Market, visit thevillagetc.com or call 941-1900.
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