First Thursday farmer’s market comes to Carmichaels
People looking for freshly picked produce, tasty baked goods or the newest in artisanal crafts in Greene County will have another new place to stop.
The Greene County Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural First Thursday evening market event in Carmichaels will run from 4 to 7 p.m June 4. Held at the parking lot of Mystery Finds in Carmichaels, the markets will continue on the first Thursday of the month through October.
The nighttime schedule was created as a contrast to Waynesburg’s long-running farmer’s market, which take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays.
“This was established to allow opportunities for those who work in the day time or in the evening to be able to get to one of the events,” said Melody Longstreth, director of the Greene County Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber became involved with farmer’s markets last year after the Waynesburg market’s lack of a parent organization to provide support put its future existence at risk.
“Our board of directors quickly agreed as it fits our mission of promoting local businesses and also serves as a community service project on behalf of our member businesses,” Longstreth said.
To begin with, the chamber provided insurance and office support. After a few weeks, the organization started playing a larger role. That then led to the discussion about expanding to other communities, Longstreth said.
Five vendors have registered for the first event, ranging from plants and produce to other locally grown and hand-crafted items, Longstreth said.
And no shopper has to go home hungry. Longstreth said they plan to have a food vendor available at every market.
Any local business or crafter who would like to participate in the market can preregister by reaching out to the chamber office at 724-627-5926 or info@greenechamber.org for an application.
If the farmer’s market is well-received by the community and successful for the vendors, when it comes back next spring, it will be held every week, Longstreth said.
Working with the borough of Carmichaels, the chamber has been adding more events in the area to serve businesses there, Longstreth said. Those will include upcoming Coffee and Commerce events from 8 to 9 a.m. June 11 and Oct. 15 at the Hartley Inn. The free events will allow business owners to sit down and discuss topics of their choosing.
Other events include a ribbon-cutting, a Lunch and Learn event at the Flenniken Library on June 9, an unclaimed property tax event on Aug. 25 at the borough office, and one of the chamber’s Business Connection Luncheons at the Back Bay’s meeting room on Sept. 30.