Shop Local North Port Market Open Every Saturday
It used to be that if you lived in North Port and wanted a great farmer’s market or a nice dinner with outdoor music you had to travel to Sarasota or Punta Gorda. It was a fair trade off for the then affordable housing found in our area. Having lived in the same home in North Port for 20 years, we have watched our small town grow and stretch beyond US41 in ways not imagined. Not one, but now two emerging Sarasota Memorial Hospital options in North Port is one of those items that long seemed impossible. A plethora of new businesses, including several restaurants that are standing the test of time make dining out in your own neighborhood a joy. Another true gem of our little city’s growth is the new Shop Local North Port Market. Facebook Folks, this farmer’s market is the real deal! Fresh produce, meats, seafood, baked goods, wonderful soaps and candles, food trucks, and live music are on the agenda. And it’s growing weekly with a waitlist of local businesses wanting in.
Farmer’s markets bring communities together as a gathering spot to support neighbors and friends looking to sell their wares. On a recent visit to the Shop Local North Port Market, we saw just that. It was fun to see nurses and doctors on their breaks from SMH (right next door to the market), mingling with families, young adults and retirees just checking out the cool vibe of the market with live music in the background. We sat and people-watched while enjoying the most fabulous, smashed burgers and fries from a great food truck called Frites Station. Facebook. They were a perfect addition to the fresh-squeezed lemonade we enjoyed from Hippie Squeeze Lemonade Facebook.
We made our way over to Lolablue, Lolablue – Lolablue Living manufacturer of eco-friendly scrumptious candles, soaps and such to pick up their new shampoo bars and candles with the most heavenly scents. Lolablue, along with Evergreen Holistic Yoga and Massage, and Therapeutic Massage and Wellness are the hosts of the weekly market. We picked up homemade peanut butter and bought beautiful produce from a couple of different vendors whose tables were overflowing with colorful, fresh fruits and veggies. We rounded out our purchases with some thick steaks and seafood from Florida’s Freshest Fish Company Facebook, and grabbed a few homemade mango ice creams from a sweet guy and his kid on the way out. We put all of that together for several delicious meals throughout the week. Side perk was that it was not only fresher than Aldi’s or Walmart, but also less expensive.
You must add the Shop Local North Port Market to your Saturday fun-do list. It’s every Saturday from 9:30 AM until 12:30 PM at 2525 Bobcat Village Center Road. The market organizer is Jake Reich, and he can assist with any questions about booth availability and sponsorship opportunities
Contact@JakeReich.Realtor. Come support these local business owners who are our neighbors and friends as they come together to truly make North Port an even better place to live. Check Facebook for an up to date list of food trucks and vendors who will be at this Saturday’s market. And don’t forget to shop local!
Photos courtesy of Shop Local North Port Market Facebook page.