Holly Winter Market Thriving With Local Vendors, Elegant Indoor Space

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 23, 2023)

Holly, MI – The Holly Farmers Market began with just a few tables set up in a grassy area near the railroad tracks, and now is phenomenon spanning across seasons – with the outdoor market in the summer and indoor for the cold months.

The Holly Winter Market takes place at Venue One Eleven which is located at 111 College Street and is part Of the Holly Vault Collection, an elegant event space created out of an historic school building. On select Sundays through April the space is filled with dozens of artists and crafters, as well as food vendors like April’s Famous bakes (like their made from scratch pecan tart), The Cheese Lady (with cheeses, stuffed olives, spreads, and other snacks), and We Be Poppin’ (with eclectic popcorn flavors like the banana pudding made with vanilla wafers and dried banana slices).

The Feb. 12 market – just in times for Valentine’s Day – had 80 vendors. Among them, a set of booths next to each other with mother Kathy Estep and daughter Aimee Hamm. Estep’s creations are decorations made of stained glass sold under the moniker Frolicking Faerie. Daughter Hamm operates as Fun and Fancy, selling clay figurines made with different themes. “For the most part it’s fun, and great bonding,” she said.

For Troy and Christianne Rider the market is a chance to sell plants and produce year round. The Riders own Maple Acre Farm which comes to the Farmers Market in season with veggies like tomatoes, kale, lettuce, peppers, potatoes, microgreens and more. For the Winter Market the focus is on houseplants. “We’re starting a co-op program where the customer pre-pays for a weekly or bi-weekly share of whatever happens to be ready at the time,” Troy said.

The couple enjoys tending to the plants on their Grand Blanc-based farm, as well as getting their two teenagers to help. “They get to help with pulling weeds, and around planting time,” Christianne said. “It gives us all a reason to be outside.”

Those looking for sweets will not be disappointed with the selection, including Jessie’s Kitchen. At this booth Jessie Howard of Clarkston serves up muffins, cakes, brownies, chocolate covered strawberries, and other goodies. After attending culinary school for three years, she started her own business. In addition to farmers markets, Howard also does catering and can be hired as a private chef. The Winter Market is a great way to sell her sweets, while also making connections for her chef services. Plus, she enjoys it. “It’s love honestly,” she said. “Everyone is so nice and there are so many interesting vendors.”

Rosana Sigro of Grand Blanc has been doing shows for over 20 years in various cities. She grew up in the Philippines but also spent time working in Japan. Now she makes jewelry, sold through her business Magarbo Beads. “I learned to bead in Japan with old Japanese women,” she said. “I like the beads the best because they can be so intricate. It’s hard, but when I finish it feels so good.”

Guests to Holly Winter Market might also recognize The Cheese Lady from the popular store in Downtown Fenton. There are actually seven Cheese Lady locations across Michigan, with Jean Ruffini running the Fenton store and doing the market on the side.

“We have 125 kinds of cheese in the store, and we bring about 15 to the market. We bring about 15 to market and we rotate so its different every time,” Ruffini said. There are also various dips, stuffed olives, and stuffed dates. A customer favorite at the market is called Paradise Breeze. “It’s a middle of the road cheddar made by the Mennonites in Deer Creek, Wisconsin,” she said. Her personal favorite, though, is the Caramelized Onion Cheddar.

Diana Regan is the market coordinator. She started out as a vendor at the Farmer’s Market and stepped into the leadership role, proving that not only can she grow vegetables, she can grow a whole market. “This is our second years for the Winter Market, but our first year in this location,” she said. “We love being in this beautiful space, and I love the friendships with the vendors and the regulars.”

The Winter Market takes place select Sundays from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm at Venue One Eleven which is located at 111 College street and is part Of the Holly Vault Collection.

Upcoming dates are:

Feb 26

Mar 12

Mar 26

April 2

April 16

April 30

New vendors are welcome.

Message hollyfarmersmarket@gmail.com

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