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Jun
Market Review June 17, 2023
We love to see cloud cover when we set up the Market. We start early and the cool cloudy mornings make for a cheerful start to the day. However, the clouds gave way to a very warm and sunny midmorning. Our shoppers began showing up early and continued to stream into the Plaza at LHUCA. The vendor count was very good and I couldn’t help overhearing conversations coming from our Information Booth involving more people inquiring on how to become a Market vendor. It is very encouraging to see the interest in our Market grow each week, with both shoppers and an increasing number of vendors.
We appreciate those of you who are encouraging others to check out the Market. We are thrilled with all the new faces we are seeing and all the people who are becoming regulars at our new Market location. Plus, we always have out of town visitors. I spoke with a couple of people from Trinidad, Colorado who said they were in Lubbock just checking things out. The mood of the market’s new location is a slow, casual flow of meandering shoppers that come and go, with lots of folks chatting and visiting…very neighborhoody!
We are a family friendly event in an area of town that allows people to wander into air conditioned art galleries and make a real diverse Saturday outing. The Plaza is very wheelchair friendly so please come visit and feel relaxed. We are seeing more farm produce as the summer continues, but it flies off the shelf, so get an early start if you are looking for fresh local produce. There are lots of sauces to choose from and there are always samples to help you make your choices. We have great homemade baked goods. In fact I know of two bakers that sold out. Now that’s a great feeling for a vendor!
If you didn’t know better you might think the Market is hosting a dog show each week. We encourage pet owners to include the pets in the Market experience. We make sure to have fresh cool water, and doggie treats at the Information Booth. This is also where a panel of judges select our weekly Tornado/Industrial Dog of the Day! Meet George. She, yes you heard me. She is a regular at the Market and George’s big beautiful eyes and eager nature helped to make her a winner. Way to go George!
We are all very happy with how things are going as we create a fresh new Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market. We hope that you and your friends and family will take a Saturday morning and visit us in the Plaza at Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts at 5th and Ave J.
We also like to introduce our new vendors to you, and this week we are focusing on GIL-T PLEASURE FARMS. For those who do not know, and that would be most of us, a gilt is a young female swine that has not produced a litter! And yes, this vendor specializes in farm raised, pasture fed, antibiotic and hormone free pork. Since 2019, Clayton Randolph and his family have been raising their pigs and goats on 45 acres here in Lubbock, reclaiming the land from a previous cotton farm. Reconditioning the soil so that the animals have healthy forage to graze has been a challenge. Currently, they have around 60 pigs, 25 goats, & 15 lambs they are raising to bring you the best meat products possible. They offer chops, ham steaks, sausages, bacon (cured with no nitrates, using celery salt instead), plus organ meats from the pig. They also have a variety of lamb products. Come check out their high quality choices!
Be sure to visit us next week, June 24th at 5th & Avenue J. We will also have some special kid’s activities at this market. More details to come. We hope to see you next week at the Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market on the LHUCA Plaza!