ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Community Farmers Market made its season debut in a new location on Oct. 7.
The weekly market that operated last year at The Center of Anna Maria Island, and previously at nearby City Pier Park, has a new home on the grounds of the Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave.
Weather permitting, the relocated market will continue every Tuesday through April from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nestled between the main church building and Lake La Vista, the market vendors set up their tents alongside parking lot travel lanes that now double as sturdy and spacious footpaths and nicely frame the new market setup.
Thirty-nine vendors were on hand for opening day, including many from last year’s market and many from previous years’ markets. Two produce vendors, Milagro’s Produce and TJ’s Produce, date back to the first year the city-hosted market began in 2018.
The vendors’ opening day offerings included fresh produce, all natural dog treats, local honey, fresh baked bread and biscuits, mushrooms and mushroom products, fresh guacamole, fish dip, seafood, organic juices, matcha drinks, jewelry, crystals and other mystical items, art, back massages and more, with 15-year-old cellist and visiting High Point, N.C. resident Kal Hyun Burgess-Hicks providing the live music.
Market moves
Hurricanes Helene and Milton displaced the city-hosted market in 2024 when the park was first used as a staging area for recovery crews and later as the temporary Anna Maria Post Office.
In January, DBTB Juice Bar & Bakery co-owner, and former city market vendor, Devinne “Dev” Whittaker proposed relocating and expanding the weekly market on The Center’s spacious athletic fields. Whittaker and her fiancé, former Chiles Group head baker Ted Louloudes, co-own the DBTB Juice Bar & Bakery that operates inside The Center.
During the market’s summer offseason, Whittaker spearheaded the move to the Roser Church property.
“We’re at Roser Church now every Tuesday through April because The Center spent some good money on their athletic fields this summer,” Whittaker said on opening day. “We coordinated with the church and they were happy to have us. They said we could do it every year here if we want. It’s a great day, no rain and lots of room. And we’re on Pine Avenue again, closer to where the market used to be.”
The DBTB market offerings included fresh juices and juice combinations, fresh baked sourdough bread, scones, cookies and other baked goods.
TJ’s Produce owner/operator Tillman Thomas noted the market never opened in October before and will end in April instead of May to beat the summer heat. His offerings included tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, watermelon, lettuce, limes, lemons, oranges, cantaloupes, onions, potatoes and more.
Set up near Lake La Vista, Sea-renity Bou-Tiki & Beach Spa owner Amanda Escobio gave visiting Pittsburgh native Joe Pastor a soothing massage.
“This is a relaxing environment and we have more shade here,” she said of the market’s new home.
Returning vendors included but were not limited to Dynasty Guacamole, Hahn’s Handcrafted Lemonade, Mr. Fun Guy (mushrooms) and more.
Doing business as The Chubby Seacows (another name for manatees), vendors Bob and Jeanne Lorendo sold cabinet knobs, small art pieces and other items made with resin, sea glass and crushed shells. They also offered leather purses and fanny packs and more. Next to them, Diannah Hughes sold natural dog treats at her A Bark Above Dog Bakery tent.
One of the market newcomers, Spare Kitchen owner Michael Calvino, began baking fresh, aromatic and multi-flavored buttermilk biscuits when he arrived at the market and he continued doing so as the day progressed. The biscuit flavors included traditional buttermilk, chocolate chip, rosemary and more. The Spare Kitchen also offered Calvino Family Sausage, made with a time-tested family recipe.
“We make everything we sell,” Calvino said.
Next to the Spare Kitchen tent was another group of market newcomers, Sol Sipsters, who sold matcha drinks and more.
Several vendors said they were very pleased with the new location and they look forward to a successful season.
