A real contender
Toledo Waterfront Market is a one-stop shopping experience
By Gretchen Ammerman
Oregon Coast TODAY
In the past decade, farmers and crafters markets have popped up on the Oregon Coast faster than new mushrooms in a field frequented by elk. But though you can find one almost any day of the week, each has something to set it apart.
On top of the pleasant inland weather, ample parking and wonderful array of food and crafts from vendors that came from close by or further afield, the Toledo Waterfront Market has a pretty awesome, and free, raffle for all entrants.
“We announce a raffle five times a day,” Toledo Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kathy Crane said. “You don’t even need to be present to win.”
No sooner had she made that statement when a gentleman appeared who had won one of the raffle pulls at the previous week’s market. Presented with options that included a wood-etched picture of the Yaquina Bay Bridge, bath and body products, hats and other items submitted by local businesses and market artisans, he chose a particularly cozy looking sweatshirt from the Port of Toledo.
A recent market day saw 300 visitors from 23 Oregon cities and nine other states visit the market. Among the raffle prizes awarded were a free lunch special from Rizza Pizza, eight pieces of chicken from Toledo JC Thriftway Market and a handmade bowl cozy.
Another draw of the market, besides the varied shopping opportunities, are the hot food options, including fettuccine Alfredo and barbecue.
“People come from all over just to have lunch here,” Crane said. “I hear all the time that people wait all week for Pat E Mac's barbecue.”
And if you’re looking for food to take home, you can’t do better than fresh-baked bread.
“I am new to baking full time but I’m loving it, said baker Sherron Watson of The Vintage Forager. “I just invested in an industrial mixer which is making my life so much easier and I also just got a new oven that I’m very excited about.”
Producing everything from rustic sourdough to olive loaves and truly mouth-watering cinnamon rolls, Watson is excited to be participating in the market, close to her home on the Bay Road between Newport and Toledo.
If you’ve arrived at the market still a bit sleepy, head to the Elk City Coffee Company booth.
“A lot of people sell beans and ground coffee that don’t actually roast their own beans,” owner Jim Salisbury said. “I do.”
Elk City roasts range from light to dark from beans grown in such places as Papua New Guinea and Nicaragua. Not sure your preference? Sample a pour-over cup of coffee right there at the booth.
A customer favorite, Salisbury said, is the Papua New Guinea Dark Roast, certified organic and fair trade, with Typica, Arusha and Bourbon varieties. The beans are roasted to provide rich flavors of earth, cedar and chocolate.
The market is also rich with non-perishables, like the humorous vintage-style dish towels and aprons found at Oregon Handmade, with messages like, “Grab your Balls, it’s canning time.”
“People absolutely love those,” said owner Barbara Parks, who has also opened a small storefront shop in Toledo from which to sell her products. “But our lotion bars are by far our most popular products.”
With an almost dizzying combination of scents and ingredients like coconut lime verbena and sandalwood vanilla, the bars come in attractive metal tins and are stamped with designs like Celtic knots, making them not only a nice personal treat, but a great gift option, too.
Offering jewelry, handmade arts and crafts, yard art, clothing, frames, fresh produce, crocheted goods, candy, photography, wood art, plant starts and fresh bouquets of flowers, the Toledo Waterfront Market is a one-stop shopping experience.
Please plan ahead if you were going to bring your four-legged friend on a warm day — though many of the vendors are dog lovers, because of the rules of the hosting site, no dogs except service dogs are allowed into the market.
Toledo’s Waterfront Market takes place at Memorial Field at the corners of NW A Street and NW 1st Street. Hours are Thursdays from 10 am to 3 pm though August. For more information, including a list of vendors, go to toledooregon.org.