By Natalie Mollinet | [email protected]

The warm weather may be gone, but the Sugar House Farmers Market is still here and with a new name – Sugar House Holiday Farmers Market. The winter location is at Wilmington Plaza on Wilmington Avenue in the same area as Spitz restaurant. 

“The holiday market focuses on providing an outlet for local vendors to continue selling their products throughout the holiday season,” Natalie McHale, who manages the market, said. “Our goal is to be a one-stop shop to support local during the gift-giving season.” 

Even though most produce will be gone with the cold weather, McHale said that a majority of the vendors sell already prepared food such as salsas and seasonings. Many items will also include food and art perfect for the holidays. 

Area shops are contributing to the market too. In fact, it was the owners of the Wilmington Plaza that asked for the holiday market to set up shop there. The management thought that it would be a great addition to their location and it’s not only helping the businesses around there, it’s helping the vendors as well. 

“It is often difficult for vendors to find consistent places to sell their products once the summer season ends,” McHale said. “So we are very excited that we are able to provide a weekly location to have their services and products noticed.” 

The vendors provide their products and some even provide music. The first holiday market was held November 2 and included such vendors at Winder Farms, Garden Goodies, Bubble & Brown Bakery, Jenny Handel Art and Oh My Good. Live music was sponsored by Winder Farms and local band Greenmont played. As long as the weather holds, there will be live music. 

The market also gives area businesses the opportunity to share their products. McHale said that they are working closely with the businesses in Wilmington Plaza and restaurant such as Spitz, Somi and Traeger Grills. 

“Spitz will be offering $5 street cart fries and Somi a free starter with an entrée purchased each Wednesday during the market,” McHale said. “Traeger Grills also donated a fire pit that will be used each week to help keep everyone warm.” 

For kids visiting the market, Indulge Eats sells items for s’mores to roast over the pit. One of the vendors also sells child specific products such as books and clothes. 

McHale said the market aims to help people shop local.  The market is a non-profit and relies solely on sponsors and donors. Vendors who want to participate pay a fee to put up shop but according to McHale all the money goes back into advertising for it. All the people who help manage the market are volunteers. 

McHale said, “Since it is a smaller market, it’s also a great opportunity to get to know the vendors and understand where the products are coming from. They each have amazing stories and passion for what they do. Attending markets as a vendor on top of full-time jobs is not easy work, but they all show up each with great enthusiasm.” 

The Holiday Market runs from 4-8 p.m. every Wednesday until December 21 excluding November 23. People interested in becoming a vendor can email [email protected].