Ever think about where you buy your fresh produce? You probably should. If you have lived here long enough you have likely visited the West Chester Growers Market at least once for tree-ripened apples, peaches, corn on the cob, eggs, greens, fresh-baked bread, organic chicken, or a dozen or so other items. However, that wasn’t always an option. Thirty years ago, the corner of Church and Chestnut Sts. was just a parking lot. 

“In 1995, a group of Chester County farmers wanted to bring their goods to the public. Since the Borough of West Chester is one of the most populated towns in the County, they decided to set up here,” said Market Manager Juliana Pash explaining how the market got started.

We recently caught up to discuss the milestone, what’s ahead for the future, and the time the market almost closed – surprisingly, it was pretty recently.

HWC: Can you share a favorite market story with us? 

JP: From one of our vendors – he remembers a rainy day when a husband and wife were shopping together at his corner tent. On rainy days, water collects on the tents and can come splashing down at any moment. The wife was the unlucky one that day as her husband looked on laughing. Moments later, he too was splashed! The moral of the story? Be careful where you stand on a rainy day at the market.

Another one I like is from a customer. She came to the market one week without any cash. (Several vendors are cash-only.) As a recognized regular customer, one of the vendors loaned her money to do her shopping for the day with repayment the following week – no interest!

Each week at the market is its own story for each of us. In our digital age, it’s nice to be able to have a one-on-one conversation with the producer. They are passionate about what they do and are always happy to answer questions.

HWC: For all my good intentions, I know I have at times taken for granted the market would be waiting for me on Saturday morning. Over the last 30 years, has the market ever faced closure? 

JP: The only time the market was challenged in its location was this past year. As many readers of your newsletter know, a developer presented plans for a multi-story [apartment complex] on the market lot. Fortunately, after a standing-room-only crowd showed overwhelming support for the vendors, Borough Council voted against the development. We will never take our location for granted and we appreciate everyone who has supported us over the years and hope that new customers will feel the same way in the future.

HWC: As you look ahead to the next 30 years, what do you hope to see for the market?

JP: We hope that the market will continue to attract customers from near and far. As a producer-only market, we want to provide the community a place to get fresh, local, seasonal produce throughout the year as well as other locally produced goods. We will continue to add new guest vendors to attract new shoppers without sacrificing that core mission of “producer only.” We hope that in the next 30 years, the market will still be a place to “shake the hand that feeds you.”

Same here. Thank you, Juliana, for sharing your stories! 

Come out tomorrow and help the West Chester Growers Market celebrate 30 years! From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be live music, giveaways, face painting, and of course all the farm-fresh pears, apples, pumpkins, and fresh-baked goods you could want. West Chester’s Growers Market is held every Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the corner of Church and Chestnut Sts. through December then biweekly over the winter.