Tillamook market is livin’ on the veg

Story & photos by Hazel Fiedler

Oregon Coast TODAY

Each Saturday in Tillamook, a side street is blocked off and dedicated to the farmers market. Right in the heart of downtown, it is an accessible and fun outing for the whole family. Even first thing in the morning the market is already buzzing with customers.

While it has been up and running for more than 20 years, the Tillamook Chamber of Commerce took charge four years ago and breathed new life into a dwindling market. The work of the chamber has since doubled the number of vendors, bringing in a total of 70 with a rotation of 54 at the market each week. Market Manager Sayde Walker is proud of the work that has been done to re-energize the environment.

“This market has an old school feel,” she said. “It reminds me of the markets I used to visit when I was a kid.”

Unique features make the experience fun for all ages, like local musicians performing music on the street from 10 am to 1 pm each week and games, crafts and face painting for kids.

“It gives everyone something to do,” Walker said, adding that vendors are her favorite part about running the market. “They are always excited and happy to be here. I hope that customers who visit the market get that feeling.”

The specialty style of the vendors at the market need not keep people away that are on a budget.

“I think there is a huge misconception that market prices are a lot more expensive than grocery stores and it's just not true,” Walker said. “Our vendors cater their prices and products to their customers. It's actually a lot more affordable than people think.”

A number of Tillamook Market vendors moved into brick and mortar shops after starting there.

“The Tillamook market gives people a chance to put their products out into the world for the first time and grow a customer base,” Walker said. “We offer support to our vendors and give them a chance to get a feel for running a business to see if it is something they would like to pursue.”

Teresa West of the business Lillian proves that jewelry does have to be confined to a single era.

“My business is named after my dear great grammy Lillian,” West said. “She was alive during the era that my pieces come from.”

She melds modern and antique styles to produce one-of-a-kind jewelry that carries a unique history.

“My dad is a watchmaker and antique collector and I grew up watching him create and accompanying him to antique fairs,” she said. “He is my biggest inspiration when it comes to my jewelry.”

She does all her work by hand and sources pieces from all over the world. Her jewelry incorporates precious stones, hundred-year-old antique brooches and glass and, as an ode to her childhood, watches.

“I feel so lucky that I am able to support myself doing something I love,” she said. “Markets like this one are so fun to be a part of. I have made valuable connections with both my customers and fellow vendors. My market neighbor and I met when I first started years ago and she has become my best friend.”

The market not only offers valuable goods but also valuable services. Dave Rockey sharpens tools and knives at his booth.

“When I began sharpening in 2007, Arnold Schwarzenegger was the governor of California and I thought, ‘Hey I can be the Sharpenator!’” Rockey said.

People travel far and wide for his services.

“I was at the market in Manzanita one week and a guy called from Seattle to see if he could bring his tools down,” he said. “I’m so grateful I get to do something I love that's also helpful to people.”

Rockey is able to sharpen anything with a flat edge from scissors to shovels to machetes.

“Instead of throwing old tools away, customers can bring them to me and I can make them better than new,” he said.

Jaime Josi at Josi Farms offers locally grown fresh produce.

“My husband and I are fourth generation farmers,” she said. “We started out as a dairy farm but a few years ago we expanded and began harvesting produce.”

The farm also supplies a roadside stand in Tillamook, sells produce at other markets in the county and caters to 15 local restaurants.

“Our vegetables are grown naturally; we use no chemicals or sprays,” Josi said.

The booth offers a wide variety of fresh vegetables including onions, greens, artichokes, carrots and beans.

“Out of all the markets we are a part of, we like this one the best,” Josi said. “Everything is grown right here in Tillamook, it's fun to be the local farm.”

The TIllamook Farmers Market happens from 9 am to 2 pm every Saturday through Sept. 28 on the corner of Laurel Avenue and Second Street in downtown Tillamook. For more information, go to tillamookchamber.org/Tillamook-Farmers-Market.