ST. LOUIS — It is the oldest, continuous farmer's market west of the Mississippi River.
It is the Historic Soulard Farmer's Market.
"I run into a grandma with her grandkids, and they will be talking about when they came here as little kids with their grandparents," says Market Manager Bob Ray.
It is a story that starts in 1779.
"Legend is farmers were bringing their produce here on wagons, circling their wagons all around. Everybody from the neighboring area would come down here every week," Ray says.
It is a place where generations of customers and farmers have frequented the market, creating a strong sense of community and tradition.
"That's one of the reasons why despite no television or advertising...we are just packed every week on Saturdays. We have a lot of history, both with the vendors that are here, the farmers that are here, and the customers that are here," Ray says.
Wiszkon Produce is celebrating 100 years at Soulard Farmer's Market.
"It really is something in the produce industry you're kind of born into it," says Greg Wiszkon.
Greg is the 4th generation of the family business. Weekends at the market have been a part of his life, his entire life.
"I met my wife down here, and we have our fifth generation working down here, sometimes helping me on the weekends," Wiszkon says.
And with the old comes the new. The market has evolved over the years. What used to be filled with simply produce, is now a modern market filled with food stands and small businesses selling goods.
"We have 148 stands, and we have small businesses that lease those stands for a very affordable price to figure out if their business plan or if their business can be successful, and we provide them that opportunity," Ray says.
The award-winning barbecue sauce, Sauce So Good, got its start at Soulard Farmer's Market.
"I started back at the end of 2021. I look at Soulard Market to be a great place to just get your business started. Kind of like an incubator. So, it gives all the small business owners a chance to test out their product and see actual live reactions," says Keyon Watkins, the CEO of Sauce So Good.
Whether they’ve been doing business for generations or a new start-up there’s a reason why Soulard Farmer’s Market keeps making history.
"That makes our market is the largest small business incubator in the region, right? And that's what I love about this market," Ray says.
Soulard Farmer's is located at 730 Carroll St, St. Louis, MO 63104. The market is open Wednesday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
For more information, visit their website or follow along on social media.
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