For every Saturday until March 24th, IX Art Park will host the first ever Winter Farmers Market in Charlottesville.
The recurring event is the winter edition of the Charlottesville City Market that normally runs from April to December. This market has a positive reputation for creating a hub that unites the the town to enjoy fresh produce, baked goods, and artisan crafts from local vendors.
Since the city market takes a hiatus for the winter months, members of the community sought an opportunity to continue the farmers market tradition in a different location.
Ludwig Kuttner is a firm proponent of arts and culture in Charlottesville and helped create the vibrant scene that IX Art Park radiates. Kuttner offered the park to be used as the venue for the winter market on Saturday mornings when he heard about the market idea.
The art park is a very different scene from Downtown Charlottesville with its industrial yet artsy ambiance throughout the vast space. The Winter Farmers Market takes place both indoors and outdoors. ADA-accessible restrooms and free parking are likewise available. Many participating vendors also sell their goods at the main city market from April through December.
One participating vendor is the wholesale pop-up Bowerbird Bakeshop that launched in October and is run by pastry chef, Earl Vallery, who bakes sweets such as macarons and cookies.
The market manager of the Winter Farmers Market, Barbara Shifflett, is highly satisfied with the turnout and explained how the market has attracted a wide demographic of people–leaving both vendors and clientele happy.
“It’s been a very positive reaction all the way around,” said Shifflett.
The vendors for every market change. To stay up to date on the list of participating vendors, click here.
