LIMA — It was a sparse turnout for the Tractor Supply Co.’s first-ever Market Day, but the company said it will continue to host the event in the future.
On Saturday, both of the company’s Lima locations hosted the event for local artisans, crafters, collectors and farmers. One vendor showed up to the Elida Road store, and two more made it to the Harding Highway location.
“I went to the Farmers Market twice to get people interested, and they were interested, but most of them are booked up on the weekends,” said Jack Dyer, manager of the Tractor Supply Co.’s Elida Road store. “I guess it’s just not convenient for them because they’re at other events in places like Bluffton, Delphos and Celina.
“They said weekdays are better, so we might do that from now on.”
The lone vendor that showed up to the Elida Road store was a team of sisters who were selling dessert items. Anna and Danielle Russo said they sold about a third of their cookies, muffins and sweet breads nearly two hours into the three-hour event.
“The chocolate chip cookies have definitely been the most popular,” 23-year-old Anna Russo said.
The sisters said it was their first time attending an event as a vendor. They both work part time at their grandparents’ business, The Homestead Store in New Hampshire. The health/bulk foods store specializes in grass-fed beef, eggs, honey, maple syrup and organic produce.
“Danielle is wanting to expand eventually and put more baked goods in the store,” her sister said. “Eventually we want to get a kitchen into the store so we can do more with baking.”
Danielle Russo, 16, said she’s had a passion for baking ever since her mother, Diana Russo, started making sweet bread several years ago. She recently came up with a recipe for chocolate chip banana muffins, which Anna says the whole family “has fallen in love with.”
Baking “is just something I really love to do,” Danielle Russo said.
The sisters seemed to luck out on Saturday, as there were no other vendors to compete with. Dyer said he hopes that changes when they host the next Market Day event.
“It’s summertime and people have stuff going on, so I’m going to do the next one in the fall when it’s better for people to come,” he said. “I still think it’s a good event for local community members to showcase their products.”
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