Community Market a downtown magnet

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
MARKET TIME — Angie Wotton, left, and Christine O’Donnell talk about how well the Community Market is doing in its downtown location. O’Donnell said, “People spot the canopies and check it out.” Behind them is Fred Grant and his son Ben who offered passersby free samples of his “Fred’s Revenge Salsa.”
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — This year’s community market could be called a “win-win” for merchants, farmers and vendors now that Market Square is the hub for seasonal vendors.
    Christine O’Donnell is the market master. She said the relocation from the area near Monument Park to the heart of town “has been great. It benefits store owners and it has benefited us. They’re truly glad we’re down here,” said O’Donnell last Saturday. And, merchants agreed that the canopies with a variety of  merchandise draw people to the business district. The location change was accompanied by a name change. It used to be called the Houlton Farmers Market and is now known as the Houlton Community Market to include a wider variety of  merchandise.
Downtown boost
    Lynn York, owner of York’s Bookstore, said that his business was up, thanks to the market. “People are rubbernecking when they come down here and they say ‘Oh, look.’ It’s really been good. People stop and buy a newspaper, or a card or some other product. And, it’s good for everyone,” said York. His business is up at least 10-20 percent, he added.
    Steve Rogers, owner of Shiretown Video Variety, said “it’s a magnet.” Rogers, who sells and rents videos in addition to several grocery items is open seven days a week until 9 p.m. He said he noticed increased traffic in the area on Saturdays.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
HOMEMADE — Lavinia Kilmer, left, sold a variety of pastries at the Community Market. Seen left to right are: Gerry Dunn, Audrey Brown, John Kilmer and Janie Liliker.
    Floyd Boyett joined the market for the first time this year and said his homemade jams, jellies, pickles and honey start on his property in Amity. He set up under a canopy and said he likes the location in Market Square. “People drive by and they can see everything.”
    Angie Wotton is a vendor and a market board member who had herbs and flowers for sale last Saturday, the markets fourth week. She said her small containers “were perfect for window sills since everybody doesn’t have a garden.”  Soon Wotton will bring in beets, peas, potatoes, corn, beans, spinach and Swiss chard.
    Just steps away was Fred Grant selling “Fred’s Revenge Salsa.” Grant said his salsa has been selling out at the market and has a good reputation preceding it from sales at Rotary events. “The success is in the ratio of every ingredient. It’s really fresh and the heat creeps up on you,” said Grant. His young son Ben was there to help as people stopped to sample the salsa. When asked if he was a vendor or a salsa tester, Ben replied: “Both!”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
SNO-KONE ANYONE? — Marissa DeLaite, center, and Maciah Pray opted for Sno-Kones when they visited the Community Market with their mother Danica Pray. Lynn York made the icy treats in front of his bookstore.
    The Kilmers drew a lot of attention with assorted fresh home baked goods from breads and cookies to individual servings of strawberry cheese cake complete with fork and smiles.
    O’Donnell said the market will be open until October and anyone interested can apply for a one-year membership priced at $25. The trial for one Saturday is $10. For more information, contact the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce at 532-4216.