This morning, we opened the Windsor Super Market for the first time ever!! Before and during construction on our Studio H-designed permanent pavilion structure, the market will be open every Saturday on the porch of the River Center. This morning, I showed up just before 9 to set up, and already, there were close to 50 people.

Vendors were selling plants, greens, herbs, fresh shrimp, homemade granola and bread, quail and chicken eggs, and more. The Bertie Early College Ag School’s FFA Club was representing, selling our Super t-shirts and reusable tote bags, which went like hot cakes!

Most vendors sold out of almost everything, and everyone was pleased with the turnout – by 10am, there were over 100 people at and around the market, socializing, catching up, buying locally, and enjoying a wonderful day in Windsor. Judy, in the video above, talked about the market being a great opportunity for people to come together downtown, where before there was little opportunity to do so. I overheard someone saying “Pinch me – am I in Windsor right now?”

Mr. Newkirk, who managed the previous Windsor farmers market, said he sold more plants and goods than almost any other single day, because of the volume, concentration of people, and most of all, the marketing. He told us “It’s all about advertising,” as he handed out the last few of his Super business cards, asking me for another stack of 100.

One of my favorite moments came when Mr. Newkirk’s granddaughter had applied Super stickers to old Food Lion shopping bags, pasting the stickers over the Food Lion logo, but leaving the slogan visible: “Great Neighbors, Great Prices,” which ironically seems much more fitting for the Windsor Super Market than for Food Lion.

Next week, a few new vendors will be joining, including a pastry chef who promises a full array of all things frosted. We hope the interest remains high throughout the summer, particularly as we begin construction and shoppers will be able to see the progress over the next 10 weeks. Even today, five of our Studio H students were on site for support, and also to begin clearing brush off the site so that we have a clean space for foundation digging. A huge thank you to the River Center and the Town of Windsor for making the market happen. See you next week, and visit the Facebook page for updates!