2-minute read
Combining the allure of a farmers market with the convenience and stability of a storefront, The Makers Market & Farmacy opened in June at 4604 Cleveland Heights Blvd.
Husband and wife Phil and Cheryl Thall designed the marketplace to give local businesses a permanent place to sell their products. The owners see the space as an alternative to a typical grocery store.
Two months in, the marketplace boasts over 80 vendors, providing everything from baked goods and spices to handcrafted jewelry and sewn pieces. During the summer months, produce is sourced from regional farms throughout the Southeast until more local growers begin harvesting in the fall.
The idea for the business stemmed from the Thall’s experience owning and operating their farm, Garden Fairies Farm, which contributes many of the plants, fresh herbs, locally sourced produce, and eggs sold in the store.
“We’re one of 82 small, independent, locally owned businesses that rent space,” Cheryl said. “Our farm behaves and is treated like every other business in here.”
How it works
Before opening, more than 60 vendors had already committed to joining after the owners visited farmers markets to introduce the concept.
The seasonal closure of the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market in August prompted another wave of vendor applications.
As interest has increased, the marketplace has shifted away from accepting every qualified applicant. Instead, the owners now look to create a balanced mix of vendors, limiting duplicate product categories while ensuring shoppers can find a wide variety of locally made goods in one place.
According to the owners, the business differs from similar marketplaces because the store itself doesn’t buy wholesale products or operate as an anchor business.
“Each business rents their space, and then that’s their space,” Cheryl said. “It’s 100% their business. They just pay the fees to participate in the store.”
Vendors set their own prices, manage their own inventory, and decorate their displays.
Why Lakeland?
The Thalls moved to Lakeland in 2006 before relocating to Fort Meade several years ago to operate Garden Fairies Farm. Although they no longer live in Lakeland, they said the city remained the natural choice for opening the marketplace.
“We knew it was an amazing community that would support a place like this,” Cheryl said.
The owners said the marketplace is intended to strengthen the local small business community by making locally produced goods available throughout the week rather than only during market hours.
“Our mission is to support and empower small businesses,” Cheryl said. “Pretty much everything in here is locally made, grown, small batch, [or made with] clean ingredients. I think what we’re doing here is pretty cool.”
latest news
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
What happen to the market that was supposed to open up on Memorial Drive? No update so far.