New Vendors, Steady Traffic Keep Farmers Market Fresh in Second Week

The weather played nice this time around for the second .

The rain held off and more businesses set up shop, featuring everything from fruits and veggies to crafts.

"There was a consistent, steady flow of traffic," said Commissioner Joe Conway. "That's really what you want to see."

Tuesday's market featured 34 vendors—two more than anticipated and several more than last week. Vendors this week were still pleased with the turnout, though it did drop slightly from last week's, Conway said. The market continues to be a trial-and-error process for Conway. One vendor, for instance, was displeased with her location within the market, telling Conway she would do better business in a different spot.

"We're figuring out what works and what doesn't," he said. "We need to trust the vendors more. This is their business."

Conway will listen to feedback from marketgoers, and work their suggestions into future markets, but he's proud of the strong start.

"At this point, we've got a lot of vendors, more than enough," he said.

Newer vendors, like Lisa Brown of IN.purseinators, were impressed with what the market had to offer.

"I've been doing farmers markets for seven years—they've got an excellent mix," said Brown.

But as much as it's the goods that make the market successful, it's also the timing, Brown said. As the market starts, parents are just picking up kids from school and starting to think about what's for dinner. 

And while they're shopping, they're mingling, said Bill and Terri Johnson, of vendor Theresa's Selections.

The Oak Forest market is one of seven where the Johnsons offer their sauces, salsas and spreads.

"There's a lot for people to look at and buy, things that they wouldn't buy normally," said Terri Johnson. "Everybody knows everybody, people talk to each other, they don't just walk on by."

Turnout might have dropped off a bit, but Conway suspects it's because many shoppers stocked up last week, thinking it would be a one-time thing. But a steady stream of foot traffic kept the husband-wife duo busy.

"I can't complain," Bill Johnson said.

New this week were:

• Table Top Bags
• In.Purseinators
• Natures Choice organic meat
• Natures Pure Organics free-range meat
• Mama Luigi's sauces and pastas
• Labriola breads
• Game Time Concessions (for a hot snack as they shop)
• Stamper Cheese

What's to Come

As the weather changes, expect more pumpkins, gourds and apples from produce vendors, Conway said. Mums will also explode onto the market scene, as the weather gets cold enough for them to bloom and last.

What You Bought

We asked Oak Forest Patch Facebook fans what they scooped up at the market.

• Kimberly Colbert StMarie: Cheese, fruits and veggies!
• Jill Hendricks: I BOUGHT VEGGIES, DIPS AND A NECKLACE! DID ANYONE ELSE SEE THE CROCHETED NECKLACES? (THEY'RE) GORGEOUS!!!!
• Babette Ensing: Fresh Green Peppers and Avon! Great deals!!
• Paula Jean Ramirez: ‎2 loaves of bread, 6 ears of corn, 2 tomatoes, and a jar of bruschetta
• Donna Grazys Gutierrez: holy cowww.....peppers, corn, grapes, cucumbers, potatoes, nectarines, pears, cabbage, pickles, and eggplant...all 1 pound or more of each...all for under $20!!
• Bill Swinford: ‎2 yellow squash, Bluberry Honey, a cone flower plant, and a snow cone.
• Michelle Casey Tancredi: I went last week and got corn, peppers, bananas, a canoli, and the BEST chocolate chip cookies. Reminded me of the ones they had a my high school.
• Krista Kaleta Attreau: Sweet Pepper Jelly, Raspberry Pepper Jelly, Dark & Milk Chocolate turtles, Tomatoes... and then I ran out of cash. Need to bring more cash next time.