Off-Season Shopping Fun

Nov. 13, 2015

AT PETOSKEY’S NEWEST MARKET

The Petoskey Chamber of Commerce farmers market may have ended Sept. 29, but that’s not the end of farmers market season for the city. A new market operated by Crooked Tree Arts Center is taking over for the winter, allowing farmers to vend and shoppers to buy well into the colder months.

BRIGHT IDEA

“It’s not quite a partnership with the Chamber; it’s more of a coordinated transition,” explained CTAC’s Megan DeWindt.

“There used to be a winter farmers market up at North Central Michigan College, but it only drew a few vendors because there wasn’t good foot traffic.”

With NCMC being too far from downtown, some of the vendors who had attempted the college market approached CTAC about using the Carnegie Library’s interior during the winter.

“We thought, what a great idea!” DeWindt said.

Any farmer from Emmet or Charlevoix counties who has already been approved for farmers markets in those territories can participate in the CTAC market just by filling out a quick application and paying the booth fee.

“If they’re already approved for those other markets, they’re approved by us,” DeWindt confirmed.

Available so far at the market are such farm offerings as produce, honey, jams, dog biscuits, maple syrup, baked goods, candies, fresh pasta, beef, guacamole, herbs and eggs.

GIFTS AND TUNES

In addition to farm products, artisans are also invited to submit images of their work for possible approval and inclusion in the CTAC market.

“We’re really looking for unique, Etsytype items,” explained DeWindt. “The artisan portion will really expand as we move closer to the holidays; it works out well that just as produce is falling off, the holidays near with all of these great opportunities for people to vend and purchase gift items.”

Among the gifts that have been featured so far are wire-wrapped jewelry, beauty products, holiday cards, cutting boards, repurposed antiques, photography prints and watercolor paintings.

Another collaboration will also allow the new market to feature entertainment while you shop.

“Thanks to a grant from the Petoskey Harbor Springs community foundation, we’ll be able to coordinate with Blissfest to bring in music every Friday,” DeWindt said.

The new market has already welcomed 17 vendors to the Carnegie Library building; during nicer weather, they can also set up just outside on Bidwell Plaza.

FOODIE FAVORITES

Starting Nov. 6, the market will also offer free First Friday for Foodies events, the first Friday of every month from 11am–noon, in partnership with the Petoskey District Library.

“They just installed a brand new commercial kitchen in the Carnegie Building’s lower level,” DeWindt explained. “So people can come in and watch demonstrations by our chefs from the farmers market or a local restaurant chef, to learn more about a specific dish and how to prepare it.”

After buying your food and getting a cooking lesson, you can even grab a snack right at the market, as many of the vendors will have food to grab and go.

“So even if you’re just wandering around town, you can run down and pick up something,” DeWindt said. “Everyone in our office is pretty excited about this. Now we just need coffee down there! The whole market has such a great vibe. It’s very cool.”

The CTAC Artisans and Farmers Market will run 10am–1pm every Friday through June 3 on the upper level of the Carnegie Library, 461 E. Mitchell Street in downtown Petoskey (no markets on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s.) For more information, visit crookedtree.org/artisans-farmers-market or call (231) 347-4337.