Seventeen vendors set up shop Thursday, June 7, for the debut of the Marcellus Open Air Market in Marcellus Park.
The park will host the market vendors from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday until mid-September. The market is the only one of its kind in the town of Marcellus, and allows people from all over Central New York to come and share their goods.
“Marcellus deserves this kind of market,” said market co-founder Erica Leubner. “This is what the people want.”
The market is incredibly diverse, Leubner said, and offers items such as local coffee, handmade candles, produce, flowers and more. Leubner said as the summer season continues, she anticipates more produce vendors participating in the market. “We just need to keep getting the word out,” she said.
Unlike other local markets, the Marcellus Open Air Market will provide loads of entertainment for those stopping by. Bands will begin playing concerts in the park right after the market ends, at 7 p.m., next Thursday, June 14. The market will also host activities for children and adults, such as book readings by Marcellus Free Library workers and a bounce house.
Leubner said bands are also slated to play some acoustic music under the pavilion directly next to the market during market hours.
One of the vendors at the Marcellus Open Air Market was Michael Sims, of Syracuse, owner of Hickory Hollow Candles. Sims handcrafts more than 150 scented candles made from 100 percent all-natural soy wax. Some of the scents he was offering at the market included lemon chiffon, kiwi, lavender, peanut butter cookies, French vanilla and Christmas tree. The candles will burn up to 80 hours, Sims said.
“I think it’s going to be a great thing,” he said of the market.
Another local vendor was First Cup, a coffee shop located on West Main Street in Marcellus. Manager Diana Spencer said the company stresses local business.
“We try to use stuff that comes from here,” she said. “We have New Hope Mills pancakes, we use Hudson eggs — those are from here.”
All bakery items are made right on site, Spencer said. First Cup will be selling drinks such as coffee, iced coffee, lemonade and smoothies, along with an assortment of baked goods.
Tracy Zimmer, owner of Zimmer Bakes, brought homemade baked goods including cookies, fudge and baklava. Zimmer makes all of her baked goods in her Weedsport home.
“When it says homemade, it is homemade,” she joked.
Zimmer said she decided to participate in the Marcellus Open Air Market because of the unique combination of vendors, food and entertainment.
“It sounded very intriguing; I’m excited to be a part of it,” she said.
One of the most popular vendors at the Marcellus Open Air Market was the Raindrop Farm booth. Patty Nelson, who sells Raindrop Farm produce, said she decided to participate in the market because she owns her own farm, and is hoping to kick-start business.
Nelson said the late frost in Central New York luckily did not affect the crops at Raindrop Farm.
Produce such as rhubarb, potatoes, tomatoes, as well as jarred foods such as pickles and sauces, were available at the booth. Currently, a number of fruits and vegetables are in season, including arugula, asparagus, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, thyme and zucchini.
Julie McFall, 40, of Marcellus, said she was drawn to the Marcellus Open Air Market by the various local vendors, including Montezuma and Beak and Skiff wineries.
McFall said she liked seeing all the available produce, and is hoping for more as the summer continues.
“That’s what I’m hoping — that I can get a lot of local produce here, and kind of do my vegetable shopping,” she said. “The other stuff is kind of like an added bonus.”
