SOMERS POINT — Organizer Rob Hopkins said three new vendors joined the Somers Point Farmers Market on July 16 on the grounds of Somers Mansion overlooking Great Egg Harbor Bay.
Hopkins, a member of the city’s Economic Development Advisory Commission who was tasked with organizing and managing the market, said his goal is to double the number of vendors by next season at the latest.
Hosted by The Patriots for Somers Mansion, the market opened July 2 and is held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Sept. 3 at 1000 Shore Road.
“The first week we did really well. We had sold-out vendors and a steady flow all day through noon,” Hopkins said July 16. “Unfortunately, last week got rained out.”
Weather was near-perfect for the third week, when customers were strolling the grounds shopping for produce, prepared foods, treats and other goods at about 15 spots.
Hopkins said he has a good mix, with some cycling in and out based on their availability. He said there is plenty of room for more vendors, as well as space for live bands in the near future.
The fees go straight to the nonprofit and thus are tax-deductible. Hopkins said the fee is the lowest in Atlantic and Cape May counties to generate interest.
“They come see the spot and want to be here,” he said, noting the fees are based on the number of weeks available.
He said the vendors are happy with the turnout and can’t wait to tell others about the location.
“It’s not just a parking lot. It’s got the history, bay views, a nice little breeze. It seems chill and tranquil,” Hopkins said. “The location is what’s going to help us grow in the future once people come to see it.”
Hopkins, 38, and his wife, Desiree, 39, operate Local Farm Stand at the market, selling a cornucopia of fresh vegetables from a farm in Hammonton. They grew up in Atco and have known each other since childhood.
Hopkins said he worked for two years to get the market up and running. As a boy, he sold produce from his uncle’s farm stand right out of a greenhouse in Hammonton, where he said his family still does some farming.
“Seeing all these local farm markets, I thought Somers Point could have one. I wanted it for the community,” he said. “I want all these good things because I’m living here. If you’re going to build a family somewhere and want to know what’s going on and want to control to some extent what happens, you’ve got to get involved.”
Among the vendors were Carmen Adamucci and Megan Doughty of Earth Products Essentials based in Port Norris. They sell industrial hemp-derived health and wellness products such as CBD, CBN and CBG oils and creams.
“We offer a wide variety of different cannabinoids, as well as topicals for pain and tinctures for anxiety without THC as well as for pain and inflammation with THC,” Adamucci said.
The business has two outlets in Ocean City, at Stainton’s downtown and on the boardwalk, and also operates at the West Cape May Farmers Market.
“I think it’s going to be a great location one day,” he said. “It’s just going to take some time to build it up.”
Other vendors were Twisted Lemon Beverage Co. of Millville, Drip N’ Scoop and Busy Bees NJ.
Longport resident Debbie DiEva Dulin of Bianca Del Mare was selling handmade soaps and jewelry.
Next door, Egg Harbor Township resident Stephen Richards, along with his wife and daughter, were selling Chef Steve’s Popcorn and fresh lemonade.
There were fresh cut flowers for sale next to baked goods such as cupcakes, cookies and brownies.
Rebecca Parker and daughter Emilie, 16, of Alloway Township in Salem County, offered pesticide-free vegetables and pastured meats.
Parker and her husband own a farm and their four daughters each take part in its operation.
Emilie is raising turkeys for Thanksgiving and raspberries.
“I think this is going to be a great market and Rob has done a good job coordinating; even the location is a great spot for having this,” Parker said.
Somers Mansion
The star of the show, of course, is the oldest home in Atlantic County.
Somers Mansion was built between 1720 and 1726 by Richard Somers and ontains many objects of local historical interest, including a collection of textiles with local quilts and woven coverlets and many early samplers.
The mansion is furnished as it might have been during the Somers’ era, with some pieces even used by the Somers family in the 18th century.
The mansion remained in the Somers family until 1937 when it was deeded to the Atlantic County Historical Society. In 1941, it was transferred to the state and is a State Historic Site.
Nicole Thompson, a 30-year-old from Hammonton who has a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, was leading tours of the mansion and will being doing so every Saturday all summer.
Donna Mohr, chairwoman of the Patriots group, said they are “extremely happy” with the event.
“This is a bit bigger than it was week one, and with Rob’s leadership we are going to grow and grow and grow,” she said, noting the next project is replacing the balcony that bordered three sides of the home.
“We’re inching our way up,” she said, adding that the market brings much-needed attention to the historic site.
There is plenty of parking in a lot off MacArthur Boulevard below the mansion, a handicapped-accessible bathroom on site and access via foot or bike from the city bike path.
Fundraiser July 27
A fundraiser for the group is planned for 11 a.m. July 27, when the SSPs will be playing live music and food trucks will be selling lunch later in the day.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff