Open Air Market now every Saturday in Ritzville - Craftsmen, local vendors wanted

Fresh produce, unique artwork and handmade accessories are only a few of the items available at the new Open Air Market in Ritzville.

During the inaugural start on July 22, local vendors set up tents at Boxwood Home and Garden to sell their merchandise and interact with members of the community.

Boxwood Home and Garden Owner Aimee Guiles started the local event as a fun opportunity for area vendors to showcase their products and attract local residents to a community-oriented event.

Guiles provides vendors with the space on the property to set up their own tables and tents at no cost.

The Open Air Market occurs every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Guiles plans to host the event until October, and will continue the event next year beginning in May.

Guiles felt the community needed an opportunity to socialize and support the talents of local vendors, and she also wanted to encourage the start of a farmer’s market. She did not want to limit the market to only produce, and wants any local craftsman to feel welcome to participate.

The Vets on the Farm produce booth, who will be onsite every week throughout the remainder of the event, was highlighted on Saturday. The booth is staffed by the Weber family, as Grant Weber works part-time with the Vets on the Farm program in Spokane.

All of the produce sold at the stand is grown through the program, which focuses on helping veterans transition back into the workforce by providing them with an opportunity to work in agriculture.

Weber started with the program in the last few months after attending a Vets on the Farm presentation in May. As a veteran himself and a Ritzville native, Weber quickly realized the value of the program and wanted to be involved.

The farm operates on three acres of donated land on the South Hill of Spokane, Weber explained. Currently, there is about an acre in production and the produce is all sold locally to benefit the program.

All of the crops grown on through the Vets on the Farm program are started in a greenhouse before being transplanted outdoors. Weber currently spends a couple of days a week assisting at the farm, and also sells the produce at the Ritzville market.

The first day at the market, Weber was able to bring lettuce, cabbage, zucchini, jalapenos, rhubarb, green onions and carrots. All of the produce had been picked on Friday to sell on Saturday.

As the season progresses, Weber said the produce available will change but all of the items will be picked fresh for the event.

At the farm, Weber said there are a variety of veterans and volunteers who care for the crops. Two of the veterans are currently undergoing training for the program where they will complete 60 hours of practical labor.

Weber spent 21 years in the Air Force and was deployed six times. He met his wife Ginny through the military and together they raised their family on military bases before returning to Ritzville.

While the Vets on the Farm produce booth was the first vendor to register for the Open Air Market, multiple local craftsmen turned up on Saturday to participate. Guiles said there were multiple other vendors who were interested, but did not file paperwork in time to participate at the inaugural event.

The second Open Air Market is scheduled for July 29, and Guiles encourages any local vendors to visit Boxwood and fill out the necessary paperwork to participate. Guiles hopes to continue the fun and social event throughout the year, as she enjoyed community members stopping by to browse and chat with their neighbors.

Guiles said she enjoyed the energy and enthusiasm during the first Saturday event, and she hopes the market will continue to grow in the upcoming weeks.

Vendors interested in participating in the upcoming Open Air Market are asked to stop by Boxwood at 408 West First Avenue in Ritzville.