The Uptown Farmers Market opened on April 27. Several rotating vendors book stalls at the location to sell various goods, rain or shine. Some of the available merchandise includes potted flowers, home-baked sweets, and fresh vegetables.
“This is a very close-knit market, we have tons of return customers,” said Brenda “Nana” Davidson. Has been selling at the Farmer’s Market for around ten years selling baked goods. “Most of my recipes have been handed down, through the generations.”
Despite the rain during the market’s second week, Davidson stated that she had seen a generous amount of support from shoppers.
“I’ve had a good two weeks here,” said Grover Roark, who had an assortment of honey set up and some leftover greens. Many of the stalls were selling different types of items to provide a variety to shoppers. “I sell plant starts, microgreens, canned goods, and as the year progresses, I will have gourmet mushrooms,” said Jason Bryant. A local business, Snow Creek Nursery, set up a mini shop to sell their flowers, and encourage shoppers to stop by the main store for more.
The vendors rotate, with some only appearing a few times a month.
“I’m only here once a month. I have a couple of different restaurants and chefs who come by,” said Roger Bell, who has been sharpening knives at the market for six years. Bell moves between farmers’ markets in Martinsville and Stuart, and works as a School Resource Officer at Blue Ridge Elementary School in Patrick County.
Many of the stalls ran low in stock as the clock inched towards closing time, and several vendors noted that the best time to come by the market is when it opens at 7:30 a.m.
“Getting here early is really important because a lot of people who bring vegetables only have so much,” said Bell. “It goes quickly.”
Vendors interested in selling their goodies at the market may apply for a stall by filling out an application on www.martinsvilleuptown.com, or contacting the chamber of commerce to get on the waitlist by emailing kimberly@mhcchamber.com or by calling (276) 632-5688.
The market will run through November 16, from 7:30 a.m. until noon. Starting July 10, the market will be open from 7:30 until noon through September 25.
A seller’s directory is available for browsing online. Families who use EBT may talk with the market manager to receive EBT match tokens that can be exchanged with vendors at the market.
