New farmers market takes root in Summerport Village

The market is set to launch Feb. 21 at Summerport Village.


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  • | 2:29 p.m. February 2, 2016
Shanny Rios, market manager at the Lakefront Farmers Market at Summerport Village, is excited to launch the new market Feb. 21.
Shanny Rios, market manager at the Lakefront Farmers Market at Summerport Village, is excited to launch the new market Feb. 21.
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HORIZON WEST It’s no secret that there has been development in Horizon West — and a lot of it. As homes continue to be built in the area, residents are tasked with the challenge of building a community of their own. 

In Summerport, Summerport Village has created a gathering place of sorts — a place where people can come together and meet at Scribble Space or get something to eat at 33 & Melt. 

The Village is now getting its own farmers market, the Lakefront Farmers Market at Summerport Village, which begins Sunday, Feb. 21. 

“We just want it to be an experience where you can come and shop, but also interact with people in the community,” said Shanny Rios, the market manager. “It’s important. For a long time, people never even knew who their neighbors where. We’re trying to bring in the community to kind of be supportive of each other and of the merchants that are out here.” 

Summerport Village has hosted community events in the past, including the Holiday Bazaar in December, in which Rios participated with her business, Escentials Bath, Body and Home. 

At that event, Rios got the idea for starting a farmers market at Summerport Village and began to assemble the vendors.

The farmers market will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first and third Sunday of each month. The vendors will line the streets in front of the shops at Summerport Village. Rios hopes to expand to a market each week by spring.  

Almost all the vendors are from Windermere, Winter Garden or Horizon West, though only two of the vendors also attend the Winter Garden farmers market. Rios wanted to keep the market unique from Winter Garden to draw people in and minimize competition between the two markets. 

There currently are 24 vendors and produce that will be featured at the market. 

“It’s really all about having unique products,” she said. “It’s like a one-stop shop. 

The market also reserves spaces for two local community organizations to use for free. 

 

Contact Jennifer Nesslar at [email protected]

 

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