Back to the square

European-style produce market returns vendors to downtown

In an effort to provide new experiences to residents, Noblesville Main Street is taking a page from its past and adding a twist.

NMS board member Darren Peterson said the annual farmers market was held on the downtown square until it grew too big and had to be moved. Because people have continuously asked about it, Peterson said Main Street looked for another way “to get people downtown.” The idea that they came up with was creating a European-style market.

“We’ve had a really good turnout,” Peterson said at the first market. “It’s been extremely well received.”

NMS kicked off its new weekly summer event on June 6. The market is staged in the south alley by the Noblesville Visitor’s Center in Downtown Noblesville from 4 to 7 p.m. every Thursday through Sept. 26. The market features a variety of vendors from fresh produce and flowers to baked goods and meals-to-go.

“I don’t know anyone else doing this,” Peterson said.

NMS also hosts a weekly farmers market from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays in the Riverview Hospital overflow lot at the intersection of Ind. 32 and Ind. 19. While both are available rain or shine during the designated times, Peterson said the produce market is not in competition with the farmers market.

“It’s completely different,” he said.

Farmers market vendors sell a wide array of locally grown produce, bedding plants, fresh-cut flowers, locally-produced honey, handmade soaps and fresh-baked goods. Peterson said the purpose of the market is simple – “it’s what you need for the weekend.”

“There’s vegetables, pasta, herbs, wine, honey, meats, bread, cookies, salsa,” he said. “No arts and crafts, but there is music.”

Peterson said the market also will be educational as it includes wine tastings and weekly cooking demonstrations of nontraditional recipes. At the first cooking demonstration, Special Occasions Catering owner Keith Brooks created a chicken broth with turnip greens soup and a spinach salad with fresh berries and an herb vinaigrette dressing.

“It’s free to the public with free samples, and it’s interactive. People can ask questions, and it’s a good time out,” he said. “We’ll rotate and have different vendors teaching.”

Brooks created his business from home eight years ago and now is looking at opening a restaurant in Noblesville.

“I’ve been to Paris and seen the European market, and it’s just phenomenal to be able to be a part of it here. It’s kind of a dream come true,” he said.

Chef Sophie Abell of Texy Mexy sold out of her bread pudding and salsa in around one hour of the inaugural market’s opening.

“I like it because it’s open and has the whole European feel. It’s going to be nice – more foods and local produce,” she said. “Downtown is a nice place to stroll. I think it’s going to do great.”

For Abell’s cooking demonstration on June 14, she featured her salsa and purchased additional ingredients from other market vendors.

“It shows people can come to the market, get everything you need, go home and prepare it. Pretty simple,” she said.

Carissa Obrien, owner of Feelin Sumthin Sweet, is a vendor at both the produce market and farmers market.

“It’s all really new for me. This is my first year with any market,” she said. “There are some people who can’t go Saturday to the market but can swing by on a Thursday night for a desert or produce to take home.”

Obrien said the produce market is contained to a smaller space but provides a “friendly neighborhood feeling.”

“We’re closer so it makes it much easier to talk to people,” she said.

Customer Seta Frantz described the market’s atmosphere as relaxed and easy.

“You could run in and out pretty quickly or linger if you wanted to,” she said. “I like that it is small and intimate. Already in the first market it looks like a little community.

Vendors are talking up other (booth’s) products. They took advantage of dead space and turned it into something.”

One of the perks of the market is it is located between two of the largest employers of the city – Noblesville’s City Hall and the Hamilton County Judicial Center. There are also many offices and businesses surrounding the square and the market’s alley gets exposure from travelers heading home on Conner Street.

“It’s really easy for people to walk over from their offices,” Noblesville Market Master Lisa Coffman said. “People can grab dinner and fresh produce, pasta and a bottle of wine.”

Shea Leonard and Molly Wendling were on their way to dinner at Asian Grill when they discovered the market.

“We were driving by and saw this,” Leonard said. “We bought a cookie right off the bat.”

Peterson said the market is still accepting applications and is specifically looking for more produce vendors and a spice and oil person. For more information, call 776-0205 or visit www.noblesvillemainstreet.org.