By Laurie Rilee, REALTOR®
One of my favorite things about living here is how close we are to the farms that feed us. Almost every town I work in has a weekly market, and each one has its own personality. Here are the markets my clients and I visit most.
West Chester Growers Market
This is the classic. The West Chester Growers Market opened in July 1995 at the corner of Church and Chestnut Streets with 10 farmers and now averages about 28 producers a week. It's a producer-only market, so the people selling are the people growing. The regular season starts in May and runs Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM through December, according to the market's website.
Phoenixville Farmers' Market
Tucked under the Gay Street Bridge along the French Creek Trail at 200 Mill Street, the Phoenixville Farmers' Market runs Saturdays from 9 AM to noon, April through November. It started in 2002 and focuses on community health. Grab coffee, walk the trail, then head up to Bridge Street for lunch.
Kennett Square Farmers Market
Kennett's market is a Friday afternoon tradition at 600 S. Broad Street, rain or shine. It has served the community since 2000 and is a program of the nonprofit Kennett Collaborative, per the market's site. Regular hours are Fridays 3 to 6 PM (Kennett Township), so check for any special hours late in the season.
Malvern and Downingtown Markets
Both are run by Growing Roots. The Malvern Farmers Market sets up in Burke Park at Warren Avenue and Roberts Road, and the Downingtown Farmers Market is in Kerr Park on East Pennsylvania Avenue. Both run Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM, and each posts that week's producer lineup by Monday morning.
Collegeville Farmers Market
Over in Montgomery County, the Collegeville market runs Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM on Main Street, generally from May into the fall, according to VendorsMap. It's an easy stop if you're touring homes in Collegeville, Trappe, or the Perkiomen Valley.
Why it matters when you're house hunting
When I'm helping buyers choose between towns, I often suggest spending a Saturday morning at the local market. You'll get a real feel for the neighbors, the walkability, and the pace of life, which tells you more than any listing photo can.