Dexter Winter Market Has New Home

​By Aimee Bingham Osinski anbingham@gmail.com
 
A staple in Dexter, for the past 7 years, the Dexter Winter Market has moved.  Formerly at the senior center, due to the sale of the Copeland building, the market has now relocated.   It’s now located in the Dexter United Methodist Church at 7643 Huron RIver Drive in Dexter. 
I was curious about the items available, since local produce isn’t really growing. The winter market has about 35 vendors, but on a typical market day, usually 25 show up. I spoke with one of the three original people to start the winter market, Anne Young.  She corrected me and said there is produce at the market.  She drives to several local green houses to ensure produce is available.  There’s not the selection or quantity that you will find at a summer market, but it’s there and it’s Michigan grown.  Other items the Winter Market offers: Alaskan salmon, lamb, pork, chicken, pasta, micro greens, eggs, honey, maple syrup, baked goods, cheese, yogurt, specialty coffee, popcorn, tortilla chips and salsa, teas, jams, jellies, cookies, and lavender.  The market also features soaps, candles, wood crafts, body products and essential oils.   Each market day, attendees are entered into a drawing for $20 worth of free goods as well as warm drinks, like coffee.  There is different entertainment each week to make your market experience pleasant and less like a mandatory shopping trip and more like a nice morning out. 
   The market is supported by 5 Healthy Towns and St Joseph Mercy of Chelsea is, unlike the Farmers market, not a city supported market.  It runs between November and April and takes place on the first and third Saturday of the month.  It’s a great way to support your neighbors  as well as a way to purchase meat and food raised locally.  Personally, I prefer to know my farmer and all the steps my meat took prior to arriving  in my house. Plus, I prefer to spend my money on my neighbors, supporting their children’s dance classes or retirement funds.   The Dexter Winter Market is a great place to do that. The next market will be held March 7th and will feature entertainment by The Southern Echos.  The Market is open 9am-1pm. More information can be found on the website, designed by Anne Young’s son Aaron Bonine. The website is https://www.dextermarket.com.

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