Covered green market fills niche in summer season - Palm Beach Post
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
PALM BEACH GARDENS — It may be under cover, but the secret is out. Every Saturday morning throughout the summer, underneath the breezeway at Store Self Storage and Wine Storage on North Military Trail, shoppers have come out in throngs for the green market.
It's the newest entry into the green-market arena and the only one open in northern Palm Beach County in the summer. Other area green markets are seasonal, typically operating from October through April or May.
"We are here year-round, and there are people here year-round, looking for things to do," said Daron Walker, manager of Store Self Storage.
"It's definitely worth the trip," said Adam Hastie of Palm Beach Gardens. "I just bought some Maine lobsters for five dollars each."
A man who identified himself only as "The Fish Monger" had a fire sale on the lobster at his seafood stand.
He is one of about four dozen vendors on hand offering an assortment of goods - many of them being organic, natural or local, including produce, spices and teas, olive oil, essential oils, plants, cleaning products and even some beef jerky.
"The idea of organic and fresh produce here is exciting," said Jupiter resident Elizabeth Doyle, who was shopping with her mother, Mary Mansfield. They sampled marinara and fra diavolo sauce from The Joy of Garlic vendor, and proceeded to buy a jar of each.
"There is no sugar in the sauce, and it's all natural," Mansfield added.
Shoppers also can find unusual items for sale, such as 12-year-aged balsamic vinegar, handmade shell jewelry or homemade soy candles. Clothing, shoes, purses and other accessories also are available.
And with the fresh aroma and steam rising from conch fritters on one end of the market to plate after plate of seafood paella being served on the other, and coffee and croissants available in between, it's hard to go home hungry.
While the nontraditional setting at a storage facility may be off the beaten trail, nearly 1,200 people came out on the first Saturday in September, due in part to advertisements and a young man holding up a sign for the green market in the middle of Military Trail near PGA Boulevard.
"Public demand has been very overwhelming," said Rhea Slinger, a manager at Store Self Storage.
As shoppers enter through the building's main entrance, they receive a red reusable shopping bag with Store Self Storage's name on it.
"We want people to see us and know who we are," Slinger added. "We are a venue as well as a storage facility."
With the facility's additional foot traffic this summer, about a half a dozen to a dozen new storage units have been leased.
"Really what it's about for us is to get our name out there, so down the road when you need a storage facility you think of us," Walker said.
Meanwhile, sales have vendors pleased.
"It's a great clientele here," said Falinda Holland, owner of Holland's Produce, based in Jupiter Farms.
Her stand features locally grown produce, including lemons, lime, avocados, melons and romaine.
"The wild salmon and the local fish sell very well," added "The Fish Monger."
Even though the number of shoppers and vendors has steadily increased since the Green Market opened July 9, currently there are no plans to continue beyond this month.
"We don't want to compete with the city's Green Market (due to come back on Sundays starting Oct. 16 at Gardens Park)," Slinger said. "We just wanted to fill the gap during the summer."
14 Sep, 2011--
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