Find some stall stories, at Salishan
Story & photos by Gretchen Ammerman
For the TODAY
You can shop online any day of the week, but how about shopping on lot or on lawn? Ditch the computer and browse IRL at one of two new weekday markets, like the Friday market in the parking lot of the newly revived Salishan Marketplace.
“The new owners of Salishan have done so much to revive the marketplace and last year they thought it would be nice to start a farmers market there,” said Lori Lemons, who manages the Lincoln City Farmers and Crafters Market. “But there is a lot of work that goes into a farmers market and they wanted it up and running before the season ended so we decided to start an artisan fair instead.”
Attracting roughly 20 vendors, the fair was well received by both visitors and locals.
“The people that live in the area were especially supportive,” Lemons said. “They came and bought early Christmas presents from us and sometimes just came to visit.”
Though the reception was warm, it didn’t come without suggestions.
“We heard from many people that they really wanted a way to get produce and food items without having to go to the Lincoln City market which is so busy these days,” Lemons said. “So, we did the work to get in some new vendors and are now a ‘Specialty Farmers Market.’”
Featuring fresh fruits and vegetables from farm stands such as Guerrero Produce, wild harvested mushrooms from Colomo Mushrooms and preserved vegetables, jams and jellies from Gingifer’s Kitchen, the market has well met the hopes of the shoppers who asked for more food options.
“We are so excited about our new vendors,” Lemons said. “We have great edible options now but also some fun art booths like Glass (and masks) by the Creek, who do glass demonstrations in their booth and right now are also hand sewing colorful masks; and a woman who makes beautiful hand-dyed silk scarves who does fun coloring projects for kids on paper using the same technique she uses to dye her scarves.”
Treats also sweeten the pot for this weekday market.
“We have the amazing Nutter Butter Sandwich Cookies from Butter Bakes, featured on KOIN and KGW8,” Lemons said. “We also have chocolate dipped strawberries from Federico Guerrero.”
Federico, who shares the Guerrero Produce booth with his brother Fernando, started his specialty sweets business to help pay for college textbooks. It went so well that, now graduated, he is turning what was a lark into an actual small business.
“My dad taught me what hard work means,” Federico said. “But he also said that how much money you make is not as important as doing what you love and loving what you do.”
Meeting small business owners who are promoting passion projects is a one of the reasons people love to visit these local markets. And being held during the week and having ample parking and enough space for social distancing make this market an especially pleasant experience.
“It’s a really nice laid-back market,” said Lemons, who is also a vendor selling handmade felted hats. “People were just happy to see us. I’ve had people that said this market makes them feel like they’ve come home. Plus, with what what’s going on right now, it’s especially nice for some of our retired people to not have to worry about being around crowds.”
Find the Salishan Specialty Farmers Market in the south parking area across from the Salishan Coastal Lodge every Friday from 11 am to 4 pm.
Another weekday market that blasted onto the scene this month, the Tuesday Night thing (TNT) at the Lincoln City Cultural Center, also has a nice variety for shoppers.
“Our number of vendors is growing, but last week we had booths by Bernards Farm, Flanigan’s Glass Gallery, Misty Morn Soaperie, Shelley's Glass Flower, Natural Illustrator Nora Sherwood and Siletz Bay Co. who sell soaps and market bags,” said cultural center director Niki Price.
“We also have a special TNT exclusive, Taco Tuesday, with a menu from the food cart Calle that includes veggie, asada and pastor tacos, asada, pastor or ham chorizo tortas, elote (street corn), red, green and pineapple habanero salsas and refreshing drinks like horchata and cucumber jalapeño lemonade.”
The updated hours for TNT are 4 to 7 pm, with the first hour designated for at-risk shoppers. The market is limited to 50 people at any one time.
At both markets, masks and social distancing are required.