One year ago, owners of the local downtown market were just happy to be open after years of delays and renovations.
Now, they are setting their sights on the future, with an focus on collaboration and community.
The Market, 301 Main Street in St. Joseph, is set to host its 1st anniversary celebration Sunday and co-owner Deb Sailor said she has been pleased with how the space has developed.
“The community has been amazingly supportive in both their comments and their support of the shops,” said Sailor, who operates The Cheese Lady in The Market. “People seem to love the vibe and they love coming here.”
That vibe was a long time in the making. After purchasing the building nearly four years ago, The Market endured two years of delays, false-starts and battles for permits. Then came a long renovation amid a global pandemic before they finally opened in the fall of 2021.
Community and collaboration
Sailor said due to all the setbacks prior to opening, there wasn’t really a fleshed out “vision” for the space aside from supporting young business owners.
“I was just so glad to finally get it open,” Sailor said. “Anything at that point would have felt great. … We just wanted to provide a space where younger entrepreneurs could build a business and not have as much of a bit overhead of renting and building out a space.”
With a year under The Market’s belt, the vision has naturally come together as the shop owners collaborate. St. Joe Wine Shoppe, owned by Meredith George, has collaborated with The Cheese Lady for wine and cheese pairings, as well as Dad’s Farm for a South African wine and food event and the St. Joe Taproom for wine and beer events.
She also teamed up with Wild Ginger Flowers and Gifts for a wine and paint event.
“At first, we didn’t really know what it would look like because you’re bringing 8-10 people’s visions together,” George said. “But I think we all really melded together. … There’s definitely a sense of community here.”
The sense of community extends beyond just the owners of the shops, as well.
“We have some people – they crack me up – they’re here all day,” Sailor said. “Because so many people are working from home, this gives them a place to come out, see some faces and get some work done. There are people who have meetings here as well, so it’s been great for that.”
Kelly Vega, owner of the St. Joe Community Taproom, agreed.
“We’re a whole community in here – a one stop shop, if you will,” Vega said. “You can come in at 7 a.m. and have your coffee at Infusco and work a little bit on your laptop. That will take you all the way to lunch at Dad’s Farm, get a cup of tea at The Tea Annex, then turn around and have dinner at Nola Roux and a drink at the taproom. For anything else you need at home, you’ve got Dad’s Farm market.
“Just seeing people who come in here every day to do things like that is awesome. We’ve become like a hub, and everybody knows everybody here now.”
The Culinary Cottage engages the community and brings in new people through various cooking classes, and George added there are still locals coming in who have never visited The Market.
“People are still finding us,” George said. “It’s crazy how many times people walk through the door and I say ‘hey, have you been here before?’ And they’re like ‘No, It’s my first time.’ I’m like, ‘where are you from?’ They’re like ‘right down the road.'”
George said there’s a sense of community that comes together in the center seating area.
“People really seem to enjoy the market,” she said. “You meet a lot of new people and you make a lot of new friends.”
Looking ahead, Sailor said the shops are looking forward to more collaborations like a cheese fondue and beer event with the taproom, as well as holiday events and more.
“We’re just starting to get our sea legs,” Sailor said. “The collaborative nature of it has been super. Everyone jells together really well, which is great.”
Anniversary party
In general, The Market is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but Infusco opens at 7 a.m., and Dad’s Farm is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For their anniversary celebration on Sunday, each vendor will be offering something special for guests at The Market.
- Fresh Pressed Cider & Farm Fresh Donuts from Dad’s Farm & Café (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
- Charcuterie cups, tastings, demos, & more from The Cheese Lady (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Celebratory sparkling wine samples & special bottle releases from The Wine Shoppe (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Special floral surprises from Wild Ginger Flowers & Gifts (10 a.m.- 6 p.m.)
- Boba Samples from The Tea Annex (10 a.m.- 6 p.m.)
- Fall-themed drink specials, State Fair mini donuts, & free shots from Infusco Coffee (7 a.m.- 6 p.m.)
- A gumbo bar from Nola Roux (11 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Shaved Ice demos & samples as well Fall-themed appetizers from The Culinary Cottage (hours vary)
- Drink specials and new Fall merchandise from St. Joe Community Taproom (noon – 9 p.m.)
There also will be other giveaways, prizes, and specials for the whole family to enjoy.
By Ryan Yuenger
MOTM contributor
