Several stands have recently come to the Lebanon Farmers Market, including On The Bun, Pourable Arts by Goldie P and Sheepskins to Vets.
Michele Bolden sat at the On The Bun stand along the back wall of the market at 35 S. 8th St. in Lebanon.
She said the owners started selling their baked goods – ranging from rice crispy treats to cookies and bread – at the market about a month ago.
She said the community has been incredibly kind as On The Bun settles in.
“You see different people come in and out, and then you just see them going around, getting what they need, and they’re always so pleasant and nice when they come in,” Bolden said. “I like it a lot.”
Her job at the stand came from previously working under owner Nolan Pickel, who she said had a dream of owning his own bakery. She said she thinks selling at the market can “let people see what you’re capable of.”
“You keep working and working and working, and you can make your dreams come true,” she said.
Along the left side of the building by the elevator, Goldie Palmer runs her Pourable Arts table. She sells jewelry, resin art, ashtrays, charms for Crocs and more.
She said she’s been selling her crafts throughout the community for about three years after honing her skills during the COVID-19 pandemic, but she just got her own area in the market in September.
“I’m very excited to be stationary somewhere I can be seen, somewhere that people can find me and see all the different stuff I have to offer the community,” Palmer said.
Business has been “great,” and the location has increased her sales by about 80%, she said.
But it isn’t just the profits that have kept her in the area. She has also stuck around because of the community.
“I love downtown Lebanon,” she said. “I think we need more business downtown. This is where things are happening in town. I find the customers that come through here, they come looking for food and they get to find other things — it’s a great introduction.”
Brand new to the Lebanon Farmers Market is Sal Santori with Sheepskins to Vets.
Oct. 31 was his first day, and his sheepskin products like gloves, hats, moccasins and seat covers filled the seafood cases left by the stand’s previous occupant.
The sheepskin comes from Pat Garrett in Strausstown.
He said 80% of the profits from the stand go toward the Kay Zern Community and Veterans Outreach, or KZCVO.
Santori previously served, and said he has personal experience with the struggles veterans face when coming back home. This has made him passionate about providing support, helping vets transition back into civilian life and ending veteran suicide.
He said when people leave active duty, they often lose their sense of purpose and isolate themselves, leading to depression and sometimes suicide. According to Veterans of Foreign Affairs statistics, the reported rate of suicide among veterans in 2021 was about 34%.
“We’re getting the awareness out,” Santori said.
Though he didn’t make any sales during the first few hours in his new stand, he said a woman stopped by who needed support.
He sat down with her behind the counter and listened as she shared her recent struggles.
“I’m glad to be able to help,” he said. “I don’t know all the answers, but to be able to do that — listen and be supportive — this is part of our mission. I’m glad I was here.”
He’s hoping for business to pick up as more people hear about his stand and as the cold weather comes to the area.
Lebanon Farmers Market is open Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Questions about this story? Suggestions for a future LebTown article? Reach our newsroom using this contact form and we’ll do our best to get back to you.
Free news isn’t cheap. If you value the journalism LebTown provides to the community, then help us make it sustainable by becoming a champion of local news. You can unlock additional coverage for the community by supporting our work with a one-time contribution, or joining as a monthly or annual member. You can cancel anytime.
More Top Stories
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
