Jamie Symmonds' Lewiston Artisan Market has grown since its June debut in Academy Park. Since the ribbon-cutting, three new, full-time vendors have joined:
•Bake and Supply, owned by Rachel Collins, offers a variety of baked goods, including scones, cookies and snack bars, plus an assortment of sugar-free and vegan options.
•Skurski Farm from Youngstown is bringing a variety of fruits and vegetables to the Village of Lewiston.
•All the way from Middleport, Stone Hollow Farm and Bakery has a variety of bread loaves, cinnamon buns, fruit crisps and muffins ready for patron purchase.
Symmonds said she also welcomed an assortment of new part-time vendors selling hand-blown glass terrariums, handcrafted home décor and wooden signs, and a wood fabrication business specializing in furniture and small home items/decor.
In addition to fine foods, fixtures and facial products, the market also offers a series of events and activities.
•Lil' Yogis with Melissa Morinello is a yoga program for children. Classes are offered for kids ages 2 to 5 years old at 9 a.m. Saturdays, Aug. 4 and 18, and Sept. 1, 15 and 29. A course for children ages 6 to 8 years old takes place at 10:15 a.m. on those same dates and times. The cost is $10 per child. Yoga mats and water are provided.
•On Aug. 11, patrons can paint in the park with The Neighbors. The do-it-yourself stenciling-on-wood event begins at 9:30 a.m. and costs $25 per person.
•Stephanie from Embody Health & Wellness will offer a slow flow yoga class for adults at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 25. The cost is $5 for nonmembers, and participants are asked to bring a yoga mat and water.
Symmonds said, "We are almost halfway through the market season and I can honestly say I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I have."
She began the market to both showcase local vendors and provide another event to bring people to the village. Each week, she has had crowds of people walk the market grounds and buy meats, coffee, veggies, skin care products and handmade crafts.
"There appears to be a timeless quality about the market, as though it has always been there and will always be there. People are getting to know their local farmers and businesses, and, therefore, getting to know their food. The vendors are not there to just sell their products, they are there building relationships and teaching people about their products," Symmonds said.
A popular offshoot of the market is online cooking videos.
"My significant other and I are enjoying the market so much that, Sunday nights, at home, we started a video segment called 'Fun with Food,' where we go live videotaping from the Lewiston Artisan Market Facebook page," Symmonds said. "We cook using ingredients we purchased from the market on Saturday.
"Since our local brick and mortars are just as important to us, we also give them a shout-out, as well, when using ingredients purchased from other local businesses."
The Lewiston Artisan Market runs each Saturday morning through Oct. 13, with the exception of Peach Festival weekend (Sept. 6-9). For more information, visit
www.facebook.com/lewistonartisanmarket.
