Local focus

Portland’s seasonal outdoor market is moving downtown this year.

It’s also opening up to a variety of vendors.

The Local’s Market, formerly known as Portland Farmer’s Market, will be setting up along Main Street this year and offering an assortment of items.

Gabie Huntsman, owner of the Flower Nook on Main Street and the new market master, explained they wanted to open the market to more vendors. Per state classifications with Indiana farmer’s markets, a certain percentage of vendors must sell food. The new title provides the flexibility to open the market up to more local entrepreneurs.

“(It gives) a platform for people who are making things at home or they just don’t know where to start. All they know is online,” she said. “Well, to me, in-person, (it’s important) to get people to know you and who you are and what your product is. So (we’re) giving them a platform that is both accessible, being right downtown, and affordable.”

Vendors may sign up at any time to sell their goods on Saturdays throughout the season, which runs from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays in June through October. (Prices to set up a stand for the whole year vary depending on the items, ranging from $50 to $200.) The assortment of items may include but are not limited to food, wholesale products, crafts, flowers, plants or other products from home-based vendors. More than 30 vendors have signed up so far.

“We have … changed it because we feel it helps the community,” explained market manager Pam Hutchison. “That’s the main reason we wanted to do this, it’s the fact of just helping the community come together and gather.”

Food trucks will be visiting the market regularly. Huntsman plans to have participation from local businesses and organizations as well, such as a demonstration put on by Valhalla Axe Hall of Redkey or a visit with adoptable pets from Jay County Humane Society. She’s looking into coordinating activities with Portland Main Street Connect when the market is in action.

FFA students will also be selling their grown goods at the market. Huntsman said she’s offering a discount for students to sell items they create.

“Just basically, we want kids to realize that you can be an entrepreneur,” she said.

The Local’s Market will be set up in parking spaces along Main Street between Meridian and Harrison streets.

For more information about setting up as a vendor, call (260) 726-7166 or visit the Flower Nook in Portland.

“We really want to get the word out there because it just is really … it’s going to grow, I hope, and be good for the community,” said Hutchison. “That’s what we’re really all about.”