The Leelanau Farmers Markets Association has unveiled summer 2021 dates for its five locations in Leelanau County, as well as an ever evolving roster of vendors. All market days run from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Click here for a vendor application.
Posts
Frank Lerchen has big ideas for the space he now owns next to Joe’s Friendly Tavern, his popular restaurant in downtown Empire. Lerchen purchased the building that used to house Deering’s Market late last month from Sue and Phil Deering. Lerchen is installing a septic system and drain field and hopes to build a covered, but open-air Mercato featuring food, cocktails and a permanent farmers market. He hopes to open next May.
Three of the five Leelanau Farmers Markets this year will offer online ordering and curbside pickup. All five markets will feature face-to-face ordering, with vendor booths spaced further apart, sidewalk chalk indicating where customers may stand, masks strongly suggested, and hand sanitizer available everywhere. “Markets are really community-based, social entities,” said board chair Ginger Bardenhagen. “People love to go there and see their farmers and chat with them. They love to have their coffee and eat their croissants while they buy their peas. It’s going to be a challenge this year to dissuade people from congregating, and convincing them to just buy their produce and leave.”
The Empire Farmer’s Market seeks a market master — a “friendly, energetic, reliable person” to help vendors and operate the farmer’s market, which opens June 16 and runs until September 15. The market will be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.