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Sharon ‘country market’ promotes downtown business

SHARON — More than a dozen vendors of the handmade and homegrown populate the intersection of Baldwin and North streets at the end of each month.

The Sharon Country Market, which holds its third event Sunday, is breathing a little life into the downtown area after the loss of longtime anchor Ed’s Food Mart, which burned down in November.

The market is an attempt by the Sharon Chamber of Commerce to promote downtown businesses, said Linda DiPiero, chamber president and owner of A Nother Cup coffee shop.

“We’ve got to get people down here,” she said.

The chamber attempted to assemble a farmers market, but when it launched the first event in May, there were just five vendors, none of which were selling fresh fruits or vegetables.

“We called it a ‘country market’ because it’s got a little bit of everything,” DiPiero said.

The five inaugural vendors offered honey, homemade dog treats, handmade soap, hand-dyed yarn and wooden birdhouses.

The second event held last month drew more vendors, and more items were available, including herbs, green onions, strawberries, eggs and plants. More craft items were available, too, including twig furniture, quilts and jewelry.

The third event to be held Sunday will add just a few more vendors, including one who will offer frozen, farm-raised chicken.

DiPiero said she knew most of the vendors personally or learned of them through their participation at area farmers markets. She said the chamber’s goal is for local farmers and gardeners with too much fresh produce for their own use to bring the extra fruits and vegetables to the market downtown.

Although small, DiPiero said attendance at the market has been “excellent.”

She has plans Sunday to provide each vendor with a downtown map and menus from downtown restaurants so people who come to the market easily can find a place to eat when they’re done shopping.

IF YOU GO

What: Sharon Country Market.

Where: Intersection of Baldwin and North streets, downtown Sharon.

When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month through October.

Admission: Free.