St. Regis to host farmers market this summer

Farmers markets have sprung up in almost every town in Mineral County from Alberton to Haugan, now, this summer, St. Regis will join in the fun. 

Beginning on Friday, May 30, the brand-new St. Regis Farmers Market will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on the lawn between the community parks pond, and the new bike path. 

The vision for a local market came from Teresa and Syleena Simkins. 

Fellow volunteer Christina Logan explained, “I personally for some time have thought it would be a good idea, to get one going. But last fall Syleena had mentioned that her mom, Teresa was trying to get one going, in St. Regis. I told her if things started to come together, I wanted to help out.”

With other established farmers markets along Interstate 90, the gals knew they needed to pick a day that vendors weren’t already committed to. In Alberton, they have a market throughout the summer every Thursday evening. Superior’s Farmers Market is on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. In Haugan, they host a Pop-up Market at the Hideout every other Thursday during the summer months. 

Logan said, “We figured Fridays would work well, and doing it in the evening gives people working a chance to come by.” 

It is free to reserve vendor space, but they have some rules. Everything must be homemade or homegrown; Logan detailed, “Things like jewelry, soaps, crocheting, baked goods, produce from the garden.” 

Other parameters include no drugs and alcohol, pets must be leashed and cleaned up after. 

Logan added, “It’s Important that you clean up your vendor space, trash goes home with the vendors. Everyone will need to supply their own table or canopy.”  

Vendors must be at least 16 years old or accompanied by an adult. 

Logan laughed, “If your little one wants to come and do a lemonade stand, just make sure it’s not store-bought, and you have to be here to sell it with them.” 

Logan, Teresa and Syleena met with the St. Regis Community Park Board and got approval to use the space. 

She stated, “They decided for the first year to use the area between the pond and the road. If it grows to more vendors, we could use the park itself.” 

But at this time vendors are not charged since the shelters aren’t being used. 

 “This will be a trial-and-error summer, we will find out what works and what doesn’t. Everyone is very open to trying this setup out and just seeing how it goes. It might be small this first year, but hoping we get enough interest to keep us going,” shared Logan.  

She is optimistic that the bustling traffic St. Regis receives in the summertime will provide plenty of customers for the market vendors. 

Logan expressed, “Eventually, even though I’m helping them get it going, in a year or two, I’d like to be a vendor, too. Gardening has always appealed to me. I’d like to sell herbs and the products of my garden.”

“Teresa will be doing plants, seedlings, and starts from her greenhouse.” 

 The true heartbeat behind forming these farmers markets comes from nurturing a sense of community and reliance on neighbors. 

Logan shared, “Everything in society is so expensive right now, times are tough, we need to get back to when the people with eggs bartered with the friend who had honey. Back when we relied on each other instead of the stores. Teresa really feels that way, too.” 

Once the first market commences on May 30, they hope to run every Friday through August and possibly into September. 

Logan said, “If you’re interested in being a vendor, reach out and sign up ahead of time it helps with ensuring space, but also if they just show up on Friday evening to sell great! In the first year, we will be flexible.”

Check on the Mineral County Community Facebook page for updates and reminders of the St. Regis Farmers Market, also check local bulletin boards for their flyers. For more information or to register to be a vendor call Christina Logan at 406-529-3991 or Teresa Simkins at 406-273-8107.