Oct 12, 2015 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – The final Waynesburg farmers market of the season Wednesday is “going out with a bang” by inviting several local shop owners to sell their goods alongside the usual list of produce and plant vendors.

Julia Richmond, who manages the farmers market, said they expect around six local businesses to participate, along with other organizations, and will be prominently displayed on the sidewalk in front of Greene County Courthouse.

Richmond said they hope the added vendors will attract more people to the final market of the season and promote small businesses in the area through the “Buy Local, Buy Greene” initiative.

“This is a one-time thing and I was thinking it would be a nice idea to go out with a bang to attract more color and activity to the market,” Richmond said. “We want to let folks know that Downtown Waynesburg (shopping options) don’t go away when the farmers’ market does.”

Joe Skocik, who operates Skocik’s Plum Run Winery and is a regular at the market, liked the idea of bringing in new attractions to promote the final event.

“There are a lot of markets now. Tons and tons of them,” Skocik said. “You get more people here and everybody could do better.”

He thought crafts and jewelry vendors might encourage new customers to discover the market and then buy produce, flowers or wine from the regular sellers. Skocik noted that many local businesses work in unison, and he displays a local jeweler’s homemade creations at his Beallsville store.

“I would like for them to take this and put it in the regular season, and have another farmer or two come in,” he said. “We work together all the time and help each other out.”

Richmond said the market does not plan to continue the initiative into next year as it will focus on selling locally grown produce.

She said the farmers markets are a growing trend as some people want to buy locally and support area farmers. The market held customer appreciation day Oct. 7 to thank their supporters by giving away various gifts donated from vendors.

“I think people are more socially conscious. This generation of youngsters are more socially conscious and there’s a focus on health,” she said. “They’re supporting someone whose hand they shake each week. And the fresh food just tastes better.”

In addition to several local shop owners, Community Action Southwest and the Penn State extension will also be there. The regular produce vendors will appear at their normal locations on Church Street.

The Waynesburg Farmers Market will return next spring.