October 4th 2025 Farmers Market

Market  Review Sept. 27^th

By Paul Bullock & Mary Gates

The Market season has flown by as we finished up September and now we head into October for our final 3 Markets. We had a beautiful morning for our 18^th Market of the year. It is a feeling similar to the end of a school year, as there is a sense of excitement and relief as we end the season on a very positive note. We had some serious competition with the final weekend of the South Plains Fair and the Dark Market, which kicks off the Nightmare on 19^th Street Haunted House.

We started at 9 a.m. sharp, and the shoppers took their time showing up. We saw an increase as we got about an hour into the morning. I think this week we had more out of town guests than usual. We had visitors from Amarillo, Midland, San Angelo, Alpine, and San Antonio representing Texas. Then we had people from Nebraska, Alabama, and Brooklyn, New York. But the prize for furthest traveler went to a visitor here from Spain!

The pace was slow but steady, and it is reported that our vendors were pretty happy with sales. Slow does not necessarily equate to a poor Market. The slower pace allows for shoppers to chat with vendors and shop at a relaxed tempo.

We are still providing an abundance of farm fresh fruits and vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, okra, eggplant, onions, apples, melons, pears and so much more. Our farmers have done a spectacular job this year and they are the backbone of the Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market! We have been happy to be a part of SNAP and invite SNAP participants to stop by and double their dollars while shopping at our Market.

There is nothing like sipping on a cup of fresh made coffee and strolling through our Market in such a wonderful setting. Throw in a nice sweet baked good to go along with your coffee and really what could be better?

Our artisan vendors have stayed steady and offer all types of hand crafted goods like  lotions, ointments and soaps. We have had great jewelry makers and knitters with their gorgeous work. There’s fabulous beef jerky made by Lynn Z Brown. There are award winning children’s books and design caps. Our Market has a very diverse group of vendors who are small independent businesses ready to serve our fine community.

We are very family oriented and invite you to bring the whole group out. We are stroller and wheelchair friendly and we are here ready to please. Come on out and make a social event out of this fine Market. We love dogs as well and make sure to highlight one every week by awarding the distinguished honor of Tornado Industrial/Arts Dog of the Day to the most deserving canine. This week we had a cutie named Cheeky who took home the beautiful Red Bandana. Cheeky, you are adorable!

We hope that as we enter the month of October and the weather cools, you will find a little time to stop and shop at our Market. We are located in the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts Plaza at 5^th and Ave. J. We hope to see you there next Saturday.

FEATURED VENDOR: BELL RANCHO BEEF

You never know what you will find! This week we welcome yet another new vendor BELL RANCHO BEEF. Travis Bell is a part time rancher all the way from Paint Rock, Texas. His daughter is attending Texas Tech, so he has come up to visit  and give our Market a try…He said he had a great day and will be back! He has worked with cattle for many years, and started his own herd in 2017. The meat is dry hung for 21 days, so it is classified as aged and is therefore much more tender than store bought. Travis is offering all types of cuts and quantities, so pop on down and pick you up some! 

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Thank you for attending our market this week and we look forward to seeing you back on the LHUCA Plaza next week.