Farmers’ market in Medina moves to Main Street site for winter
Photos courtesy of Chris Busch: Tracy Jennings (left) of Papa Thom’s Rockin’ Bagels and Rose Baker of Baker Farms in Medina chat in the comfort of an indoor winter farmers’ market in Medina. The Canal Village Market has moved into the former NAPA Auto Parts store on North Main Street, in space donated by Craig Lacy.
MEDINA – Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market has a new home for the winter. The market has moved into the former NAPA Auto Parts Store on North Main Street, in space loaned to them by owner Craig Lacy.
“For a few years, the market has taken place at their summer site on West Center Street and West Avenue,” said Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market. “A few hardy vendors have braved the cold conditions to continue the market through the winter months. While not entirely unsuccessful, the summer site has not been ideal for winter operations, given limited sheltered space and little heat.
“It’s been a real challenge,” said Gail Miller, who has been market manager since it started in 2015. “For the summer, the entire corner site is great, and each week the summer market has a festive atmosphere. However, for winter, the site is lacking indoor space. The building was built as a gas station and has little sheltered space with heat.”
Craig Lacy came to the rescue, offering his historic, sandstone building on North Main Street, that has been in his family for decades. It is, in fact, the very same building where Grover Cleveland, a former U.S. president and New York governor, was allegedly held in the basement jail in a case of mistaken identity, Busch said. For many years, the building housed NAPA Auto Parts store, but when NAPA decided to relocate their store to Maple Ridge Road, Lacy’s building was left empty.
“Craig offered us use of the site for the winter market,” Miller said. “His incredibly generous gesture is a game changer for the winter market. We’re thrilled and grateful to have a huge indoor space with heat. The space is just incredible.”
The new indoor site has allowed Miller to retain all of the summer market vendors through the winter, along with numerous holiday vendors for the special market during Olde Tyme Christmas on Nov. 26.
Miller said they are able to host a large number of crafters and any non-profits who want to come in. More than 20 vendors are signed up for this Saturday, she said.
Heartland Organics of Gasport is one of the regular vendors who has moved to the Canal Village Winter Farmer’s Market new indoor space, beginning this month.
Two new vendors, Stone House Farm Bakery from Middleport and the Whole Empanada will join regulars Papa Thom’s Rockin’ Bagels, Catherine Street Bakery, Baker’s Farms, Human Farms and Greenhouse, Heartland Organics and Gardner’s Gardens.
Special holiday vendors are Tastefully Simple, Dust and Rust Fabrication, Granny’s Gotcha Covered, Potholder Weaving, Laurels by the Creek, 3BeesWax, Eleanor Delilah Laser Engraved Ornaments, Pugbully Studio, Towpath Trading, Collen Creates, Usborne Books, Leonard Oakes Estate Winery and Mountain Mule Ciderhouse.
“We are so incredibly grateful to Craig Lacy for his generosity,” Busch said. “Because of him, the community will have a great market throughout the winter season and a great holiday market on Nov. 26.”
“We’re looking to bring the summer gathering vibe indoors for the winter,” Miller said. “Papa Thom’s is going all out to create an atmosphere where market patrons can hang out, listen to music and enjoy a breakfast sandwich.”
Saturday Morning Spins features Thom Jennings spinning tunes on vinyl while customers enjoy a cup of hot coffee, bagel or egg and bacon breakfast sandwich, made with Papa Thom’s bagels and products from Baker Farms.
The Whole Empanada sells pre-cooked empanadas to take home or to purchase and eat there.
The Canal Village Winter and Holiday Market is located at 345 Main St. and operates from 9 to 1 p.m. Saturdays through May. More information is available on the market’s Facebook page.
