Llano markets offer produce, artisan crafts
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE STAFF
LLANO — Last year, Llano and Highland Lakes residents discovered a world of fresh produce thanks to the Llano Farmers’ Country Market every Saturday morning. This year, they’ll not only get that market, but organizers are adding a second event Thursday evenings.
The new addition, christened Llano Artisan Farmers’ Market, brings a more handcrafted touch to the street.
“We have a lot of artisans and folks around here who make things, but they don’t really have a way to get them to people,” organizer Jannie Vaught said. “This artisan market, it gives them a way to sell some of their items.”
The Llano Farmers’ Country Market focuses on fresh produce and related items and is open 7-11 a.m. Saturdays at Grenwelge Park, located on the southeast side of the Texas 16 bridge.
The Llano Artisan Farmers’ Market is 4-7 p.m. Thursdays on Bessemer Street just off Texas 16 in front of Tommy’s Mesquite Fired Pizza.
“The artisan market is just starting out,” Vaught said. “So it’s still catching on. But you can find some really interesting and unique things here.”
Vaught shows up each Thursday with several boxes of different items. Some she has made such as a “wonder box,” which is a non-electric slow-cooker. Other items, including a compostable toothbrush made out of bamboo, she gets from other businesses and craft persons. She realizes not everyone can make it on Thursdays, but she doesn’t want that to stop them from selling their items.
“I’ll bring it with me and set it out,” Vaught said.
Some of the things people can find during the artisan market include handmade soaps, canned goods, craft goods and lots of information. Every week, new things could arrive, making each trip an adventure of its own.
On Saturdays, the booths at Grenwelge Park bear the fruit (and vegetables) from local gardens and farms. The Llano Farmers’ Country Market offers growers a place to sell their produce and other items.
Like the artisan market, shoppers at the country market can expect to find things changing up a bit from week to week. As the growing season changes, so will the types of produce and fruit available.
While the two country markets offer crafts people, gardeners and farmers a place to sell things, Vaught hopes the markets go a bit beyond being a place to buy and sell items. She sees the markets as places people can simply gather, share conversations and enjoy the day.
“It would be fun to get people together,” she said. “So often we get off work, go home and then just stay there. Shut ourselves in. Maybe markets like these will get people out and talking together. It’s just a cool community thing.”
daniel@thepicayune.com