Business people, retirees, stay-at-home moms and tourists — this farmers market is for you.
Federal Way’s second farmers market of the summer is set to open next Wednesday, July 23 at the new Town Square Park in downtown.
The Town Square Farmers Market will be held every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., ending Sept. 24.
“There’s a lot of people in Federal Way that work here but don’t live here and they don’t come back on the weekends for the Saturday market,” said Rose Ehl, the events director for the Federal Way Farmers Market organization. “So, we’re hoping for that goal of having the business people come and have lunch there and shop the market, take flowers back with them, fruits and vegetables back with them. We’re hoping that we catch the business crowd during the week.”
Ehl said farmers who do other markets during the week said that the lunch hour can often get really busy as people take their lunch break, she added.
Ma Boulange Bakery owner Tigran Mirzoyan of Federal Way said he’s also looking forward to the potentially different customer base in comparison to the Saturday Federal Way Farmers Market, which he currently participates in.
“The crowd will be more stay-at-home moms or the elderly who are retired,” he said. “On a Wednesday, people who are eager to go out will have something to do and be able to go out and enjoy some fresh air, enjoy the sunshine.”
Mirzoyan will likely have the same set-up as his booth at the Saturday market but he’s not sure if the products will be exactly the same.
He does hope to bring in bakers and other staff for the community to meet during the market so that he can continue to incorporate his business into the Federal Way community.
“Farmers markets are fun,” he said. “It’s a really nice way to get to know the local people and the community. We love to make friends and since we’re new in the community, we love to introduce ourselves.”
Ma Boulange Bakery opened in Federal Way on Feb. 15.
Ehl said the Wednesday market will be smaller than the Saturday market at first, which has between 70-100 vendors on any given Saturday. But she hopes it will grow throughout time and have many of the same features the Saturday market has, such as fresh produce, food trucks, live entertainment and crafters with jewelry and other items.
Yoga classes, shaved ice and mini doughnuts may also make an appearance — more information to come at a later date.
Ehl said the market will have a service that allows patrons who only have a debit or credit card to pay for tokens that can then be used as cash with each farmers market vendor. The Saturday market currently has this service, she noted.
“Vendors love us to have that service for them,” Ehl said. “Often times people forget [cash] or they’ll see something they don’t anticipate they’ll want. We’re very thankful to be able to provide that service for them.”
Town Square Park opened on July 12 and Ehl said she’s looking forward to having that space for the market.
“There is a lot of room for vendors, for us, to expand,” she said. “It’s a wonderful atmosphere and the fact is they have permanent picnic tables, a nice grass area and it’s near the Clarion Hotel. The manager was very excited – they’ll be able to share the market with their hotel guests who can walk across the street, have lunch and shop.”
The market’s grand opening will be on July 23 at Town Square Park, located at 31600 20th Ave. S. in Federal Way.
For more information or to obtain a vendor application, visit www.federalwayfarmersmarket.com.
