Bayleigh Koch
OMAHA, Neb. – While many farmers markets close during the colder months, the Omaha Winter Market continues to operate indoors, giving vendors and farmers a place to sell year-round.
Held every Sunday from November through March at Fowling Warehouse, the market brings more than 50 local businesses together under one roof.
Shoppers browse vendor booths inside the Omaha Winter Market at Fowling Warehouse in Omaha, Neb. The indoor market runs from November through March.
“First of all, it’s indoors, so we’re avoiding the the outdoor weather. It could be snowy, rainy, whatever the case is. So it’s a safe place for people to come. It’s climate controlled, obviously, and it’s, it’s under a roof, so makes it tolerable,” said Mark Wolf, owner of Fowling Warehouse.
For longtime vendors like Teresa Mathews of Red’s Sweet Breads, winter does not mean slower business.
Vendors sell baked goods, herbal products and handmade items during the Omaha Winter Market, providing local businesses a space to operate during the winter months.
“People are so looking for your consumables in the winter market. There’s not a lot going on, and so people are definitely here to shop. They’re wanting to support local and they’re looking for these types of things that they can enjoy when they get home,” Mathews said.
For newer vendors like Ute McLaughlin of Ute’s Herbal Corner, winter markets are not typical.
“It’s slow. But I think then again too a lot of people don’t know that in winter you can do it this way. I mean this is the only market that I know of now that is open in the winter. Yeah normally it’s winter it’s sleeping time,” McLaughlin said.
Organizers say the winter market allows vendors to stay connected with customers before transitioning back to outdoor farmers markets and festivals in the spring and summer months.
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