INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – Several hundred shoppers at the Indian River Mall Saturday got more to choose from than the regular mall offerings.
About 40 vendors offering everything from fresh produce and eggs to orchids, hand-woven baskets and hand-crafted jewelry drew a crowd all their own. “I love it,” shopper Robert Evans said after picking out a few cucumbers at the Youngs Market booth. “It’s nice and cool. This is my kind of shopping.”
Evans said he had been to the mall earlier in the week and knew that the green market was going to be happening Saturday, so he made a special trip to see what was to be found.
He said the market reminds him of the farmers market in downtown Ft. Pierce – only inside with air conditioning.
The cooler temps are what brought Orchid Island Botanicals to the green market as well.
Manager Dennis Cairns said that the company had been participating in the farmers market near Humiston Park in Vero Beach but the weather had gotten so hot most customers didn’t show.
“We thought this could be a good thing,” Cairns said of participating in an indoor market.
He, and other vendors, had to restock items during the three-hour market, having underestimated the number of shoppers interested in their wares.
Justin Akerley, owner of Florida Specialty – a produce and juice market at Old Dixie Highway and 12th Street, said they had to run back to their store to get more produce due to the demand.
They had sold more than $100 worth of produce in the first half-hour, he said.
“It’s been pretty busy,” Akerley said.
One of the shoppers who stopped by Florida Specialty’s booth walked away with several items, including a red onion and peaches.
“It’s very convenient,” Lucy Marine said of being able to shop retail and grocery at the same time.
While her newly purchased produce wasn’t on her menu for Saturday’s dinner, she said the peaches would be turned into smoothies that evening.
“I hope it’ll be back,” she said.
Marketing Director Ursula Gunter, who helped organize the indoor green market, said the mall plans to host the event every other Saturday through October.
“We’re going to see how it goes,” she said, and get feedback from the vendors to tweak it as it goes.
“We are thrilled at the response,” Gunter added, noting that many more people were exposed to the concept on Saturday.
The next market will be held Aug. 28 from 1to 4 p.m. near the Macy’s end of the mall. It is expected to feature more artwork and antiques than the first market, which had numerous florists, fresh produce and craft vendors.
At the most, Gunter said the mall could accommodate 60 vendors.
Vendors wanting to learn more about how to participate in the green market can contact Ursula Gunter by calling (772) 770-9404 or e-mail ugunter@simon.com.
