Sunday's Internet Edition, September 07, 2008.

“The market has been growing in size for the past two years, nearly doubling the number of vendors and the amount of sales,” WVU Extension agent Kate Burbank said.

According to Burbank, the market generated sales of $8,200 during its first year of operation in 2006. Last year, the sales sprouted to just over $15,000.

The market will open for the 2008 season on Friday. It is located under a shelter on the Washington Park side of the Roane Committee on Aging Building at 811 Madison Ave.

Regular hours will be 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The market will be open each Tuesday and Friday throughout the summer.

Burbank said at least 15 different vendors participated in the market last year, with seven or eight setting up on a regular basis. Their wares will include a variety of produce and other items.

“In the early weeks, there will be bedding plants, herbs, flowers, eggs, lettuce and onions,” Burbank said. “We often have homemade pepperoni rolls, cookies, nut breads and other baked items.”

Homespun yarn and homemade soap are other market products.

Burbank said the market offers benefits, not only to the vendors, but also to customers and the community.

“We hope we will continue to expand our customer base as people buy locally grown produce, which is often more nutritious, lower priced and picked the day of the sale,” she said. “The market gives customers a chance to meet the grower and at the same time support the local economy.”

There is no fee to become a vendor. Those who would like more information about the market may talk to Burbank at the Roane Extension Office by calling 927-0975.