Time is running out. If you want to visit the Maplelawn Farmer's Market before the season ends, this weekend is your last chance. Saturday, November 4th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. is its final day of the season. If you’ve never been before, take it from me, they have everything you need. Check out customer favorites like DMV Taqueria, Nina’s Cookie Explosion, Fairy Greens, Full Circle Farm, and many more. They have live music, and this week the band Splendid Anachronisms will perform. The vendors at Maplelawn Farmer’s Market are unique. My girlfriend and I intended to browse before heading to our lunch reservation. By the time we left the market, our stomachs were full, and our shopping bags were overflowing. We were almost late for our reservation. If you haven’t tried the salmon with everything bagel seasoning from SOB (Sons of Bob) BBQ or a macaron from Mrs. Macarons, you are missing out.

Owner and Operations Manager Jin Stradley took over the Maplelawn Farmer’s Market during the 2019-2020 season. Under his watch, the market has grown from 5-10 vendors a week to consistently showcasing 20-25 vendors, and the diversity of those vendors is impressive. Stradley says 75% of the vendors represent minority-owned businesses. Stradley attributes the growth to advertising year-round and emphasizes that word-of-mouth praise has helped him engage with the community in ways that have created a family atmosphere. He uses the feedback he gets from customers and vendors to help him improve the market every year.

Running the market may look simple but behind the scenes, it is a complex process. Organizing and managing communication with the vendors and maintaining good relationships with local partners takes constant effort and continues all year long. “Waking up extremely early on my Saturday mornings isn’t what I would ideally be doing, but seeing people smile makes it all worth it,” said Stradley. “I run the market for the community and the vendors. It makes me happy when the vendors and the customers are happy.”

Stradley is grateful for the community support. Every week new faces join the familiar customers in the crowd. Stradley said, “Some of the customers have been coming since we first started! I want to give them a big thank you for their continuous support throughout these many years and for the years to come!”

So, I say, grab a friend this Saturday morning to check out the Maplelawn Farmers Market. From the ownership to the vendors to the experience, you won’t be disappointed!