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Date: 12/12/2023
HADLEY — Moving one town over for the winter months, a condensed version of the Amherst Farmers Market has planted roots at Wancyzk Nursery at 166 Russell St.
Following its final weekend of the season last month on the Amherst Common, Market Manager and Director of Operations David Machowski said the winter market, which began on Dec.2 has had to adapt to some last minutes changes for the moment, but they’re nevertheless pleased with their temporary home.
“It hasn’t gone as planned but it’s gone better than expected,” David Machowski said.
Just prior to the first weekend opening, which was expected to be housed inside a newly insulated and floored greenhouse, the nursery and the market learned that additional inspections would be necessary in order for it to be occupied for its new purpose.
“Luckily we have had decent weather, so we’ve been holding the market outside at the nursery,” Machowski said. He also said they will continue to do so while the weather is cooperative until the inspection and permitting are completed.
Machowski said he doesn’t consider the additional permitting requirements a major hurdle and he understands the town’s position as the existing greenhouse on the nursery property would now be utilized for a different purposed at least one day a week.
“Whether we can do it this year or not, I think we can but if not, we can certainly get it set up for next year and have the home ready and waiting,” he said.
Operating outside at the nursery comes at risks due to the weather just as it does on the common.
With the use of the greenhouse space, Machowski said there is room to comfortably situate 30 to 35 vendors, not too far off from the number of vendors during the spring and summer months on the common in Amherst.
A previous, unaffiliated Winter Farmer’s Market had been operating at Hampshire Mall in recent years but will not be open this season.
“We’ve been doing this on the fly, “Machowski said. “We figured this is not only a good point to not only catch vendors but fill the void.”
Machowski said the spring and summer market was hit hard by several weekends of rain but certainly survived.
“In general, I think we’ve been pretty strong and being on the common has been fantastic,” he said. “The Town of Amherst has been inordinately supportive.”
Machowski said Wancyzk Nursery is already pleased by the increased customer base brought into the business on Saturday and he already has encountered Amherst patrons shopping at the market in Hadley.
“In my experience the farmer’s market customers are inordinately loyal,” he said.