HOWELL – The Howell Township Farmers Market held its winter market despite the heavy snowfall that hit the town earlier that same morning.
Patrons braved the icy roads and cold conditions to get their fix of locally handmade artisan crafts and food. Instead of hosting the event outside in the bitter cold, the event was moved inside the Echo Lake Pavilion so that the vendors and their customers could resume normal business. The township ensured that the parking lot was properly plowed before the event started. Holiday music was played over a loudspeaker to give the market a festive feel.
Many of the local favorites returned for this market, along with a few new businesses that also made an appearance. One of the returning favorites is the Sour Dough Streets, run by Desiree Ruas. The Sour Dough Streets is a cottage bakery stand that sells sourdough baked goods. According to Ruas, her stand has become so popular that it usually sells out of product within the first two hours of the market being open. However, this time was different because of the poor weather, meaning that those who showed up later to the event had a chance to buy some of her product. Ruas bakes all of her products out of her own home, which has become a micro-bakery where patrons can pick up curbside baked goods.
Another fan favorite that returned for this market was the Nuts For Birds stand. The owner, Erin Cook, and her son Matthew make Eco-Friendly Gourmet Bird Cakes and Feeders meant to attract local birds with minimal impact on the environment. They sell feeders that can have replacement cakes bought for them, so patrons do not have to keep buying entirely new feeders. Despite it being winter, Cook has gotten over one hundred pings on her bird cam, proving that some birds stay local despite the weather.
One of the vendors, Feel and Wonder Sensory, was selling sensory playkits full of toys meant for kids. These playkits include things like Kinetic Sand and Play-Doh. Speech therapist Maria Gavinelli developed these kits to assist children with sensory issues. The kits themselves are 3D printed. Customized kits featuring beloved children’s characters are available for purchase through an order form on their Instagram page.
The vendors of the market seem to have the same message and belief, which is why they always volunteer to come back when they are called upon.
“The community is amazing, and the customers are super loyal,” said Neyda Conlin, owner of Sweet Treats. Sweet Treats is a baking/cookie-themed business that is a regular at local farmers’ markets. She also shared what it means to her to do what she does. Especially with how the world is right now.
“The world is a little heavy right now, so I love to spread a little cheer with a cookie,” she said.
Other vendors at the market included a pet safe candle vendor called Paws for Pitties, an artisan tortilla chip vendor called Amor Cocina, and even a spirits vendor.
Jennifer Perkel is the manager of the Howell Farmers Market and several others around the area. She talked about wanting to make this market a year-round event for Howell during the summer. With this specialty market, she is one step closer to achieving that goal.
