The Dispatch wrote Foothold in the market
Thursday, September 11, 2008
BY MONIQUE CURET
Farmers’ markets used to be a venue to sell fruits and vegetables, but these days, they’re sprouting businesses, too. Entrepreneurs such as the proprietors of a former Downtown restaurant and an occupational therapist who makes and sells purses are using farmers’ markets as a base for their small-scale businesses.
The markets attract retirees, stay-at-home moms and others with fledgling businesses and bigger dreams. Gary and Jean Perry are one example. They sold the Queen Bee restaurant, a Downtown mainstay, this year, but peddled food at the Pearl Market in Pearl Alley two days a week until recently.
The Pearl Market combines farmers selling produce and vendors selling general merchandise. It has attracted nearly three dozen of the latter throughout this season, which ends Oct. 31.
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