Susan Birchler and Julie Bryant, founders of the Alexandria West End Farmer's Market
In 2006, Julie Bryant decided that that the West End neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia needed a farmers market. At the time, Julie owned and operated a small coffee shop adjacent to the Cameron Station neighborhood (in the West End, of course). She began talking to her customers about the idea, and one of them- Susan Birchler- volunteered to help out.
Three years later, the idea has grown from a small farmers market in the Ben Brenman Park to a robust marketplace and community meeting place. Together Julie and Susan act as the market managers, contacting farmers and vendors, publicizing the market, and working tirelessly for the continued success of the West End Alexandria market.
An impressive array of twenty-five food vendors are participating this summer. The list includes many returning from past summers: Papa's Orchard, On the Gourmet, J&W Farm, chicken and eggs from Hilldale Farms, home baked dog treats from Lisa, and Tom's Dairy (known to fans as "Tom The Cheese Guy"). To name a few more, West End will also have local honey, flowers, bread and baked goods from Bonaparte Breads, Virginia wine from North Gate Vineyard, and fresh roasted fair-trade coffee from Beanetics Coffee Roasters.
Photos from the West End Market, summer of 2008
The West End Market opening hopes to bring the community together through more than great food, however. Several local artists and craftspeople will be at market exhibiting and selling their goods. The artists will return for the second week of the market, and will continue to sell their goods on the first Sunday of every month throughout the market season.
There will also be an acoustic musician, and a storyteller from the Alexandria Library.
Bring the entire family and support our local farmers and the grand opening of the third season of the Alexandria West End Farmer's Market.
And if my words haven't convinced you yet, maybe my sidewalk artworks will:
I may not be much of an artist, but hopefully the message is perfectly clear:
The Alexandria West End Farmers Market opens this Sunday, May 3rd!
Sundays: May 3rd- November, 2009
9 AM- 1 PM
Ben Brenman Park; 4800 Brenman Park Drive
* located off of Duke Street Across from the Beatley Library; South parking lot
* Bike parking available with the market manager
For more information from Susan Birchler herself, check out the West End Farmer's Market Blog here.
