The Third Street Farmers Market offers a wide variety of produce, desserts, snacks, beverages and trinkets. Open every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., vendors display their small businesses and appeal to customers who are looking for fresh, hand-grown/made products.
Located near the beach with its gorgeous cottage-like architecture, Third Street is a large tourist attraction in general. Having the farmers market located on Third allows shoppers to “feel out” the area and get a sense of place.
“I think the biggest part of having the street is that people then get a chance to walk around. They actually see the businesses that are there,” Linda Sahagian, a usual customer at the farmers market and an owner of her own business, said.
Residents and tourists need motivation to explore what Naples has to offer. Events like the farmers market drive people out of their houses and see the beauty of Naples.
“They look beyond what’s in the streets because of all the inviting sellers, windows and shops,” Sahagian said. “I think people can see a side of Naples that not everybody gets the chance to experience.”
Tourists and residents who purchase goods from micro businesses are creating a substantial difference which allows both the city and the residents to flourish.
“Farmers markets, especially like the one on Third Street, benefit local businesses because they draw a crowd to the area,” Kelly Bettridge, AP Human Geography teacher, said. “If people are coming to the farmers market, they may also shop or eat at nearby businesses. All of this consumer activity will help stimulate the local economy.”
Of course, purchasing goods that are hand-grown reflect the health of the consumer. With the attentive care and attention given into the product, shoppers are more likely to purchase it for the sake of their own health.
“Often times the fresh produce and other products are healthier and free of preservatives,” Bettridge said. “Farmers market products may be free of chemical pesticides or GMOs which some people believe have a negative health impact.”
Small business owners are more likely to have double the experience, time and effort put into their goods than the products sold at grocery stores. Take Nancy Weeks as an example, who is a proud owner of the business “Woven Wonders” and has been creating hand-woven baskets for almost 40 years.
“Everything is hand-made and home-made,” Weeks said. “They stay up all night cooking, and the vegetables are incredibly fresh. This is all I do, just me and my baskets.”
