Plans for Attleboro Farmers Winter Market Nixed

Organizers behind the have canned plans to continue the market through the winter.

The plan was to hold the market during November and December in the Ezekiel Bates Masonic Lodge, across the street from where organizers have held the market every Saturday since July 2.

A decision to pull the Winter Market was made "because of circumstances that were beyond the Market's control," organizers said in a release.

Neighboring communities such as Pawtucket have had success carrying their markets through the winter in an indoor facility.

Organizers had full support from the members of the Masonic Lodge when they were looking for space, but a few unexpected situations may have hampered their plans.

One of those surprises were the number of small businesses that were using the Attleboro Farmers Market like an incubator. They used the market to get the word out about their products and build a customer base with a plan to grow their business and possibly open a storefront shop in Attleboro. These vendors were farmers, a beekeeper, coffee roaster and artists, and all local. It did not occur to the Attleboro Farmers Market that this would happen.

"We would like to thank all the vendors and civic groups who sold their produce, products at the Attleboro Farmers Market, Inc. in 2011," organizers said in a release. "It is because of these vendors and groups that made the market the success it has become."

Success to Roadblock

The market's success, which brought in more than 30 vendors at one time and approximately $12,000 in commerce each week, ironically caused organizers some heartache. The number of parking spaces that the market took up at the municipal parking lot by the caused some friction between the Library's Board of Trustees and Market organizers. So much so that the market was forced to cut the amount of space it utilized each week, ultimately cutting the number of non-profits it could host each Saturday.

Organizers also hit a temporary roadblock when over its permit caused Market Manager Heather Porreca to request an extension on the Market's permit from the end of summer through October 29.

That same week were contacted to inspect a handful of Attleboro vendors including Be Sweet Bakery,

While plans to hold the Winter Market have been nixed, organizers are working on plans to begin the 2012 Attleboro Farmers Market beginning in the Spring and continuing through the fall months.

"Each week our goals for vendor participation and the amount of patrons were exceeded," Market Manager Heather Porreca said. "A lot of hard work was put in by all the volunteers and vendors.

"We were pleasantly surprised by support of the local community," Porreca added.

• Chase Farms- Rehoboth 
• Dufort Farm
• Edgewater Farms Firewood
• Foxboro Cheese, local artisan makers of fine cheese
• Fairland Farm Cranberries 
• Hickory Hill Farm
• Langwater Farm: Certified organic farmstand - N. Easton
• Level Acres Farm -Attleboro
• Mello's Farm
• Peasley Farm- Rehoboth
• Trolly Crossing Farm 
• Wetu Farms, weaver - Attleboro
• Brickhouse Flowers, featuring eggs from Pats Pastured - Attleboro
• Carriagehouse Nursery 
• R.Oliver Perennials- Attleboro 
• Product of the Hive by Lisa Nason- Attleboro 
• A1 Pickle Company - Attleboro 
•  - Del's Lemonade
• Be Sweet Bakery- Attleboro
• Eagle Mountain Maple Products
• Fresh Catch Seafood- Attleboro
• Razzo Coffee - Rehoboth 
• Scorpios Resturant - Fresh Breads- Attleboro
• Nonnies Bakery
• Netties Kettle Corn 
• The Copper Turtle
• Dave and Kayla Johnson "Butterflies in My Belly 
• Hub Grinding Service: Kitchen knife sharpening 
• Jack's Snacks, a dog bakery
• Jewels by Patty
• Native Dezines Jewelry
• Nature's Intention Home &  Body Products- Attleboro
• Olive Spoon Studio
• Recycled Silverwear by John Atkinson
• Roca Woodworking- Wood Made Kitchen Products
• Stephanie Troy: Whole health healing and yoga
• Time for you Massage
• Tog Photography
• Unique Pottery by Sarah Silva
• SEMAP Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership 
• Attleboro WIC Office
• Attleboro Boy Scouts
• Attleboro Dog Park 
• Attleboro Historical Commission 
• Attleboro Patch
• Attleboro Public Library
• Emily's Garden
• Friends of the Attleboro Animal Shelter
• Music Together
• Project 9/11

The Market at the 74 North Main St. will continue at the regular Saturday schedule from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October 29.