Riverhead’s indoor farmer’s market is back — and it’s back in its original location at 117 E. Main Street, right in the center of town.
The big open space has plenty of room for the dozens of vendors Riverhead BID Management Association president Ray Pickersgill has lined up for the winter market, which will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There’s also lots of space for people to meet and greet and mingle in the center of the wide-open former department store space. That was something that the space rented for the farmer’s market last winter was lacking.
“I’m very excited about it,” Pickersgill said this morning. “This is a very nice layout and I’m glad to be back here. We’ll be adding several more booths next week, too,” he said.
Pickersgill has spent the past week or so cleaning up the interior of the former Swezey’s Department Stores space and prepping it for the return of the popular Saturday market.
Local farmers, growers, bakers and artisans are exhibiting their wares, joined by a brewery, a cidery and a winery — with a Brooklyn pasta maker thrown in for good measure.
Shoppers get their pick of fresh vegetables from Sang Lee, Gabrielsen’s and Goodale farms, with cheeses from Goodale Farms and Mecox Dairy (which also sells meats). Other offerings at the market include: eggs from Browder’s Birds; fresh-caught fish from North Fork Smoked Fish Co. and Alice’s Fish Market; pickles by the barrel;Taino’s empanadas, sofrito and mojo; Gula Gula empanadas, pastries and more from goodfood.; hand-crafted olive oil; all-natural dog treats from Talk Treats to Me; granola from No-Fo Crunch; hand-made knit caps and sweaters from Lulu Knits — and scarves, hats, sweaters, and more from Nuna Knits, whose proprietor, Peggie Ehlers of Riverhead, mills and spins her own wool yarns to create her own designs.
Sweet tooth? The market offers candy from Hamptons Chocolate Factory, chocolate sauce from Old School Favorites, cakes and confections from Rosie’s Country Bakeshop and Herbie’s Crumb Cake, as well as Chez Hedwige, whose offerings are gluten-free, organic and all-natural.
Potted plants from Pierpont’s Blossom Farm, artisan soap from Southampton Soap Co., L.I. roasted organic coffee from Tend, craft hard cider from Furnace Hard Cider Co., beer from St. James Brewery and local wine from Borghese round out the offerings.
And if you’ve got dull knives and garden tools hanging around your house, bring them to the farmer’s market, where Sharp Hamptons will be offering sharpening services each week.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti
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