Garrettsville- The Buckeye Block will once again be a focal point of community activity, with a new Garrettsville Farmers’ Market to be held weekly all summer long. The farmers’ market will occupy the grassy lot left behind after the 2014 fire that leveled the historic Buckeye Block Building. The brainchild of three local entrepreneurs, this effort represents “a group of artists, business owners, farmers and neighbors who want to celebrate Garrettsville’s history of farming, friendship and community.”
The brainchild of three local entrepreneurs, this effort represents “a group of artists, business owners, farmers and neighbors who want to celebrate Garrettsville’s history of farming, friendship and community.”
Whitney Podboy (Cellar Door coffee shop), Rusteen Shelley (The Tiny Jelly Company) and farmer Sara Hill have combined their respective talents and collective passion for community to organize Garrettsville Farmers’ Market, to be held every Thursday, 4-7pm, June 21 through August 30. With the support of Mayor Rick Patrick — who assisted in working out logistics, and Buckeye Block property owner Mick Maschek, who has donated use of the land — the farmers’ market will debut the week of Summerfest. The annual summer festival will have carnival rides on the Buckeye Block for just the weekend of June 21, so the market will set up shop on the other side of the brick Carlson building on Main Street. For the remainder of the summer, the market will take place on the larger Buckeye Block parcel.
“The Buckeye Block has been our town center for generations, and ever since the fire, downtown has just not been the same,” the organizers said. “We need something to draw the community together — supporting local farmers, artisans and businesses — and tap into the roots of the community. This is an outgrowth of our existing commitments to hard work, passion for quality, and good craftsmanship. This is what ‘Farm to Table’ means. It’s not a trend here. It’s who we are.”
This is what ‘Farm to Table’ means. It’s not a trend here. It’s who we are.
So far, a wide array of vendors have committed to the farmers’ market to ensure a diversified experience: Birdsong Farm (Matt Herbuch’s organic produce), Next Generation Farm (Maggie Acker and Josh Vanek’s blueberries and corn), Kauffman Family Farm (live goats and pigs), The Root Beer Guy (Eddie Gobel), Tiny Jelly Company (Rusteen Shelley), Top Tier Pastry (Tracy Garrett), a honey vendor and more. Space remains for additional farmers, bakers and craftspeople to be represented. Live music, demonstrations and other presentations from local business and community representatives promise to make the farmers’ market an interactive experience for every generation.
With her focus on the Buckeye Block as a community center, Podboy will present her collection of GarrettsvilleStrong donations on the first day of the market. The Cellar Door has been setting aside 10 cents of every Buckeye Block specialty coffee drink ordered toward the fund established for helping to finance construction of a new Buckeye Block building.
Noting that “for every dollar spent at a farmers’ market, $7 is spent in town at brick and mortar establishments,” market organizers expect that the entire business district will benefit from the new venture. “Already, we have experienced such an outpouring of commitment and excitement from the community. We see this farmers’ market as a new sign of growth — beauty from ashes — at the corner of Main and Center Streets.”
Anyone interested in participating as a vendor, presenter, volunteer or sponsor at the Garrettsville Farmers’ Market should contact Sara Hill at (330) 977-1556 or fill out the online application at garrettsvillemarket.com.
