June 26th 2021 Farmers Market

The Market will fluctuate in the number of vendors from week to week. We are happy to report that we had 53 vendors participating for the June 19th Market. The set up begins at daybreak as barriers are set up on the streets and the Farmer’s Market Info booth gets ready for the throng of visitors. I like to take a few pictures of the goods that are available for the shoppers. We have our regulars from years past like West Texas Fragrance Farmer and Pauline from Glassy Alley and Block 20 Produce. Those folks are the backbone of this market, bringing you their products year after year to this wonderful market place.

However, the new vendors who have decided to take a chance and invest their time and money into this weekly market keep it fresh and interesting. For instance Sweet Jean’s Mustard has come on board this season, as well as Cactus Ally Hat Company. It is important to keep the old vendors coming back and the new ones bringing a bit of difference to each market.

We had a few unexpected visitors this weekend as Two Doc’s Brewery was sponsoring an event to benefit Alzheimer’s awareness. Joggers with shirts the had big letters WTF on them and then in smaller print Where’s The Finish, were passing through our area. That was fun to watch! Thank you Two Doc’s Brewery for your constant community support!

Of course we had our share of kids at the table for the twirling sticks! That’s what you call street entertainment. And dogs! We have lots and lots of beautiful dogs, and we award one of our dog friends the title of Tornado Industrial/Arts Dog of the Day. Our outstanding canine for our fourth Market is Whiskey! You can tell by his picture he was very happy to except this award! Congratulations to Whiskey!

Now just a quick spotlight on two of our many vendors. First we are happy to have Mike and Jess Fabrie. They started their business, Cafe Beni Plant Based Foods, 4 years ago. Jess is the baker and is an asset manager. Mike works full time with UPS. Jess spends 40 to 50 hours each week baking for the Market. That is passion, folks! That is like two full time jobs! Who does that? Jess Fabrie at Cafe Beni, that’s who! All of their products are made completely from scratch with organic ingredients…beautifully hand made and delicious! Proof of that is that they are usually one of the first vendors to sell out! The line forms fast in front of the Cafe Beni. Sweet rolls galore and beautiful loaves of breads and COOKIES! Jess and Mike are fine examples of the professional friendly vendors that work hard each week to bring their wonderful baked goods to you. Cafe Beni also caters weddings and special events. Come out and meet Jess and Mike.

Next we put our spotlight on Granny & Granddaughters in the Kitchen. Meet Granny Gwen and her two grand children Zaven and Hannah. They came on the Market scene two weeks ago and have become one of our top vendors in only two appearances! Gwen told me that one evening while she was contemplating which Market she should sign on with, that Divine intervention took place, and she believes she was instructed to choose The Lubbock Downtown Farmer’s Market over closer, more convenient locations. These fine people travel from Roscoe, Texas to offer their assortment of pickled goods, jams and jellies and sauces. Apricot, peach, red tomato, and blueberry jellies, just to mention a few. They have pickled goods ranging from quail eggs to all types of vegetables. They have barbecue sauces which include “the watch out that sauce is hot” habanero! Granny Gwen began her business eight years ago and she has done very well. Granny Gwen, Zaven and Hannah win the prize for distance traveled and perhaps dedication.

We appreciate the love and commitment that each of our vendors put into the Lubbock Downtown Farmer’s Market each Saturday!

Please take a little time out of your Saturday morning and visit us next week, and meet the outstanding people who contribute to our weekly Market.