Down Mulberry Lane

Farmer's Market: Friday August 10th.

It was a warm day.  We had a potluck to go to the next day, so I spent much of the time looking over everyone's things and figuring out what to buy for that.  I ended up making a summer stir-fry for the potluck. 

As for personal business... I sold 7 dozen eggs a couple granola and a couple jams and some zucchini.  We have another guy with organic goods coming and I think I've lost a few customers to him, he has alot of items!  It was his second day and he was discouraged, marking prices down quite dramatically and I said... business is slow.... for alot of us. 

We haven't figured it out, but there are several vendors feeling the pain of having "little business".  Are there too many vendors?  Is it the music guy?  There is someone playing guitar each Friday market and he sits just in front of our stand in the middle of the two rows of vendors, envision a long equal sign of vendors and he's in the middle or just slightly left and to the middle.  Right in front of US.  It makes talking to customers very hard as the music is louder near us... and I have a quiet voice.    We have had some difficulties with melding him to the group... he's sort of his own guy.... he just sets up where ever... last week he was in our vendor spot... this week he shows up early and is right in front of our spot (where he ended up last week)... but by the time I come in, it is hard to get into my spot of either of my side vendors are already there and him, too... with a big extended cab full sized truck, I can't squeeze into the space like a minivan might....  In getting ready to go, one of the vendors had accidentally rolled onto his extension cord, so he just leaves it... luckily the gal is our board president and an overall warm and friendly person and she just said she'd bring it back next week.  He just never said anything, just left in there.    His playing isn't wonderful.  He plays the same thing over and over and over... which for the customers isn't horrible, but it is driving all the vendors batty.  He needs music to play, so if it is windy, and his music doesn't stay put, it sounds like he is tuning his guitar over and over.  Ahhh, I am not meaning to pick, but alot of vendors are wondering if this is the cause of Friday's meltdowns... it's been two weeks of bad sales... he's been here about 5 Fridays, so since it is not majority of his time there... no one is saying anything.  it could be a fluke. 

I had sales in july around $160-190 each Friday.  This Friday, I had sales of $37.00, that was I think my lowest in sales I have ever had in all my market time, even my first year.  With it being hot, it was very discouraging.  I didn't wallow in it though, rather I enjoyed shopping from all the other vendors... well not all, but many.  I bought fresh dill for my pickles, I bought two different summer squashes that I have never tried.  I bought green peppers from my organic friend.  I bought jalapenos from another gal.  I bought a cantaloupe from someone.  I got carrot bars (I was hungry).  Chelsea got some cheese bread.  And I just talked and talked.  Business was very slow at my booth, so I went for alot of walks around the market. 

August was my busiest month last year.  So, I am a bit stumped at the slow business.  Oh well, at least the eggs are selling. 

Warmly,

~Melissa