HOLMDEL – Artisans, farmers, entrepreneurs and more gathered at Bell Works May 30 for the first indoor Fresh Farmers Market of the season, an event that will continue Wednesday afternoons throughout the summer.
The 2-million-square-foot “metroburb” at 101 Crawfords Corner Road, the new home to several tech companies, hosted more than 25 vendors in the atrium. They ranged from a mushroom farmer to a luxury writing pen salesman to a woman who sold foot jewelry.
Bell Works’ Brian Sienkiewicz, who helped organize the event with colleague Moshe Gross and Asbury Fresh, called the event a success. “I expected at least some light foot traffic, but right away at 2:20 there was a bunch of people coming in.”
The customers enjoyed the background music and relaxing atmosphere; several lounged on Bell Work’s geometric cushions or ate at café tables. Employees still sporting their lanyards and business attire took the opportunity to stroll through the vendor tables to check out the unique products and stations.
Popular stands included Au Honey of Middletown with raw and local honey jars stacked on wood crates and Two River Gourmet Mushrooms of Tinton Falls displaying freshly picked mushrooms labeled and described in detail.
About half of the vendors at the indoor farmers market were nonfood-related, offering clothing, jewelry, floral arrangements, paintings and other luxury items.
Artwork was on display. Megan Gray of Shrewsbury exhibited an array of original oil paintings and Dana Vargo, owner of Flowers from the Farm in Farmingdale, showcased a colorful display of organic floral arrangements for weddings.
The market atmosphere is great for adoptions because people are delighted when they meet an animal they weren’t expecting, explained Society staffer Kim Tamborra. “It’s the surprise that entices a lot of people into adopting,” said volunteer Joanne Boyle.
Carla Bushey said she enjoys meeting her customers and the marketplace atmosphere. “I love to meet other artisans and the market environment helps our businesses.”
This article was first published in the June 14-June 21, 2018 print edition of The Two River Times.