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Shoppers and vendors fill the streets at Saturday’s St. Cloud Farmer’s Market. PHOTO/DEBBIE DANIEL -
Shoppers and vendors fill the streets at Saturday’s St. Cloud Farmer’s Market. PHOTO/DEBBIE DANIEL
The rain cleared up just in time for the grand opening of the Downtown St. Cloud Farmer’s Market Saturday, and the streets around City Hall were full of shoppers.
“I was anticipating this fun market! I’m so glad there’s another event to attend on weekend mornings,” said shopper Amanda Borrero, who owns a local wedding planning company.
She said she attends local markets whenever she can because she loves supporting other local businesses.
“One thing I look for in markets, as a planner, are unique businesses and bakers that I can test out and refer to clients.”
Borrero, and a number of others, had plenty to check out Saturday morning. According to RTP Production, the event company that organized the market, there are currently 60 vendors signed up, with room for 65 more.
Shoppers browsed jewelry, produce, freezedried candy, fresh lemonade, flowers, baked goods, honey, coffee, and more.
The table at Laurence Carrasco’s booth was spread with colorfully decorated sugar cookies and other assorted giant cookies. Carrasco, who came here from the Dominican Republic five years ago, has been in the baking business for three years.
“I love to cook. I love being in the kitchen. I started making cookies, flan, different sweets for my family, and I thought, ‘Hey! This is great!’” she said with a twinkle in her eyes.
Carrasco said she bakes and decorates all the cookies herself and takes special orders, as well. She has been selling at the Lake Eola Farmers Market in Orlando, and is excited to have a spot in St. Cloud’s market now, too.
Sonna Vitter’s fresh flower cart drew people in to build their own bouquets. Vitter, a native of St. Cloud, lived in Miami for about 10 years. Vitter’s flowers are imported through Miami directly from farms.
“Miami is where I got the flower idea. In Miami, there are flower carts on every corner,” she said. “They’re about as fresh as you can get them. I want to bring affordable, fresh, good quality flowers to people.”
“This is my first market,” Vitter said, “And it has been better than we even imagined. We’ve had lots of traffic. I expect next time will be even busier than this one, since it won’t be the first one.”
The next market will be this Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The markets are held every Saturday in the streets adjacent to City Hall.
