When COVID-19 hit as a pandemic, Osiris Macias was laid off from her job. An at-home baker, the Amesbury mom took to Facebook to find farmers markets where she could sell her goods.
“I put it out there on one of the community groups and asked if there was a market in Amesbury, and everybody said no, but that they wished we had one,” said Macias.
Kristen Costa, a recently laid off event planner, saw Macias post and jumped into the comments about how she would love to help start a market.
“I thought it would be neat to be part of the team, but I had no idea what I was signing up for,” laughed Costa.
The initially-casual conversations between Macias and Costa quickly gained momentum, and the two began seriously planning what a market could look like in order for it to be feasible.
“A lot of Amesbury friends, neighbors, and complete strangers on Facebook, were saying they wanted a market in town,” explained Costa. “But many communities with markets rely on volunteers.”
“There were so many things to consider – location, days of operation, length of season, size, vendor recruitment – it felt overwhelming,” said Macias. “But all of those challenges didn’t matter if we couldn’t answer how it could operate.”
After giving serious consideration, the pair decided to make it a business.
“We adjusted our expectations on operations, but wanted to stay true to our goal of creating a space where local growers and makers could connect with consumers,” explained Costa. “A big motivator was to make this a community gathering space, where non-profit organizations and groups could participate.”
Costa and Macias began scouting out locations for where such a space could thrive.
“Because we were organizing it as a business, we knew we would have to work with a private property owner,” explained Costa. “In fall of 2021, the team from Barewolf Brewing reached out to us about supporting whatever we were planning.”
Macias and Costa met with Barewolf and, after several discussions, the group decided that the Amesbury Farmers Market could open for the 2022 season in the Barewolf parking lot on Oakland St.
“We mapped out the space and created enough room for up to 30 vendors,” explained Macias.
Before reaching out to vendors, the nascent market needed to decide when it would operate.
“We weighed the pros and cons of hosting the market on a weekday vs a weekend,” explained Costa. “We went back to where it all began and put a poll out on Facebook.”
Hundreds of people offered feedback, and the end result was the selection of Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., with a launch date of April 20th.
“We figured having our first day on April School Vacation would increase family involvement for our grand opening,” said Macias.
Once the date was announced, vendor applications poured in.
“We’ve built our 2022 season so that each week features multiple vendors selling produce, herbs and microgreens, baked goods, coffee, artisans, and prepared foods,” explained Costa. “We also have different activities and community booths planned for each week. Zach Field Drums & Music is even bringing an instructor and student musicians to play each month.”
Approximately half the vendors will be present each week, while the other half will be rotating, offering both familiarity and newness.
“Amesbury has so many incredible artists, farmers and makers,” said Mayor Kassandra Gove. “I’m thrilled to see a farmers’ market come together to showcase them, adding to an already full roster of events and activities that people can use to explore all we have to offer.”
“I love the story behind how this market formed,” said Phil DeCologero, Executive Director of the Amesbury Chamber of Commerce. “It’s hard to listen to Osiris and Kristen without feeling inspired by their entrepreneurial spirit!”
“When I set out, it was to sell baked goods,” said Macias.
“Instead, we baked up a great idea!” Laughed Costa.
The Amesbury Farmers Market is open 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., each Wednesday from April 20th – October 12th. To learn more about them and all their vendors and partners, please visit www.AmesburyFarmersmarket.org.
