RAIN or SHINE, Farmers’ Market Fans KEEP SHOPPING! 

It feels as if every Saturday since the Main Street Farmers’ Market has been open, there’s always the threat of rain.  But it hasn’t stopped the die-hard food lovers from mixin’ it up with the merchants downtown.

You know who you are and we love seeing your faces week after week.

Yesterday for example, the weather started out beautifully!  Dry, sunny and cool, perfect for a day out at market. The merchants started setting up at 7 a.m. and by 7:30 a.m.  shoppers were carrying away bags loaded with goodies. Our block party for food lovers was off to a great start.  The morning ROCKED!  By nine o’clock, Main Street was FULL of food lovers.  The aromas of Roasted Zucchini Quesadillas, grilled burgers and fresh roasted coffee danced with the jazz music over everyone’s head.  Merchants couldn’t blow open their plastic bags fast enough as shopper after shopper indulged themselves on healthy foods and sweet treats.

Then somewhere around noon, the sprinkling of raindrops turned to a downpour in a matter of minutes.  Squeals of laughter echoed through the street as merchants scrabbled to protect their goods, and shoppers ran for the nearest canopy for shelter.

Here’s a free tip for the downtown shop owners, have a canopy installed on your store just for those moments when shoppers need shelter.  Observe the next two photos.  This farmers’ market family had no intention of leaving over a little rain; they were waiting it out.  Then, they noticed the store behind them was open.

Shoppers will be shoppers when you give them an open store. $ca- ching$

Rain is always a blessed event.  At the Main Street Farmers’ Market, it’s a time to huddle a little closer under a canopy and make new friends, shoppers get to know the merchants better, merchants learn what the shoppers are looking for, and we all get to share some laughs with old friends.  But you know, Main Street Farmers’ Market is MORE than a spot for commerce, it’s a growing vibrant community.  An event for whole families to experience together week after week.  It’s the place where children explore new foods and parents have a relaxing stroll while they shop.  Where newly weds and empty nesters plan romantic dinners for two and friends sit on the benches to break bread together.  It’s a safe and fun place to hang for HOURS. *sigh*

RAIN OR SHINE, we can count on the Main Street Farmers’ Market to be open for business and community every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. until October 17, 2009.