Those looking for fresh fruits or veggies won’t need to make the trek out east, thanks to the opening of a new farmers and artists market in the Piazza Ernesto Strada.
The market opened for the season on Sunday, June 11, offering residents a chance to buy fresh produce and food products, as well as handmade pieces and wares from local artists.
Westbury Arts partnered with Sunnyside Markets to bring the farmers and arts market to the village, a spin-off of the arts mart events they had held in years past.
“We realized we might have to partner with someone who had more experience putting on a market,” said Westbury Arts president Julie Lyon. “We talked to them about combining the art mart with what they were already good at, which is the farmers market.”
Joining forces with Sunnyside, which facilitates farmers markets around Long Island, allowed Westbury Arts to showcase and sell the work of local vendors, while also bringing in a food component. The cherry on top, Lyon said, was that a farmers market was one of the items on the list of downtown revitalization goals.
“Those things all kind of came together at the same time,” Lyon said. “It was an interesting synchronicity.”
Sunnyside Farmers Markets director Mark Wagner said they aim to host a platform for local purveyors and artisans to sell their goods.
(Photo by Ray Muntz)
“We are trying to maintain a ‘down home’ feel that brings the community together to support small businesses,” Wagner said. “Hosting the markets weekly provides an outlet for members of the community to shop for fresh produce and goods right in their neighborhood. We’re thrilled to have partnered with Westbury Arts on this venture and hope to grow the market for years to come.”
Sunday’s market saw about 20 vendors gathered at the piazza, selling a variety of both produce, food and art. Mattituck-based Carucci Greenhouses & Farms provided all the produce, while other items, including chicken burgers from Gianni’s Chicken Burgers, pickles from Horman’s Pickles, nuts from Nut Punch and doughnuts from Foughnuts, were also available for purchase.
Several artists also set up tables with their goods, which included paintings, jewelry, mixed media, comic books, handmade cards and personal care items like moisturizers and soaps.
“We’re really trying to make it a balance of art and farmers market so there’s a little something for everyone,” Lyon said.
WWSome core vendors, including Carucci Farms, Horman’s Pickles and Nut Punch, have committed to the full 16-week season, while other sellers will switch out week to week. Lyon said the ultimate goal for the market is to bring the community together and attract visitors to the area.
“We want to bring attention and more visitors to Westbury. The more people that visit, the more they can know our community and see that we have a lot of stuff going on,” she said. “It all works together—we bring artists and the community together and bring visitors to us.”
The markets will take place rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday through Sept. 24 in the piazza. For more information, visit www.westburyarts.org.
