Western Wake Farmers’ Market = Success!

WWFM Opening. Photo courtesy of Sandra's Kitchen Studio, http://www.sandraskitchenstudio.com

Asses and elbows.

I just don’t know how else to put it.  That was the scene Saturday morning at the opening of the new Western Wake Farmers’ Market.

And it was wonderful.

Mia, Jennifer, Pali, Natalie, Amy (both Amys), Teri, Cindy, Heidi and Juliann have done a great thing for West Cary.  These women decided a year ago that they weren’t satisfied with the status quo of Cary markets, and set about organizing the market they wanted.  And they have done a spectacular job.  Hats off to all of you!

As a vendor, it was invigorating to be part of someting that was absolutely alive.  I was so busy that I only got to see the market from the inside of my tent, and that’s the way it should be.

Yours truly, from the inside of the tent. Photo courtesy of Sandra's Kitchen Studio, http://www.sandraskitchenstudio.com

Like many (most?) vendors, we were pretty much sold out of everything by 11 AM.  None of us anticipated a crowd that we were later told was about 1100 people.  I think we’ll all be better prepared next week.  There will probably be some “settling out” period, for us at least, where we learn the balance of what we’ll sell in a given week.  I will try to overshoot the mark a little next week.

I’m told that there is an amazing compliment of vendors there.  Certainly the tents strectched as far as my eyes could see.  I did manage to get my meat shopping done with Grandview Farms, as they happened to be set up right next to me – grass fed beef and free-range chicken, yum.  Maybe next week I’ll bring some more help and get out to explore.

See you at the market!

Read Full Post »

A Tale of Two Markets: Farmers’ Markets in Cary this year

Talking to our customers over the past couple months, it’s obvious there is a bit of confusion regarding the local farmers’ market scene.  Let’s see if we can clarify.

Cary will have TWO farmers’ markets this year: Downtown Cary Farmers’ Market, and the Western Wake Farmers’ Market.  We will be vending at BOTH of the Cary markets.  Here’s the 411 on each:

Downtown Cary Farmers’ Market

The Downtown Cary Farmers’ Market is the returning market.  This market is the one that USED TO BE at the Amtrak station on between Harrison and Academy Streets.  I say USED TO BE because that market is relocating this year.  The reason it’s relocating is that the train station will be expanded, and we were not allowed to stay for the season.  The NEW LOCATION is 744 E. Chatham Street, in the Chatham Square shopping center, across from the Circus Restaurant.

The hours of the downtown market are Saturdays, 8 AM – 12:30 PM, and Tuesdays, 3-6 PM.  Opening day is this Saturday, April 4th.

The official website of the Downtown Cary Farmers’ Market is http://www.caryfarmersmarket.com

Twitter @CaryMarket

Map:

View Larger Map

The Western Wake Farmers’ Market

There will be a new farmer’s market in West Cary this year, the Western Wake Farmers’ Market.  That market is a Saturday-only market, opening Saturday, May 2.  Hours are 8-12 noon.  The location of the Western Wake Farmers’ Market is Carpenter Village, on Morrisville-Carpenter Road.  The market will be located about half a mile west of Davis Drive on the south side of Morrisville-Carpenter.

Official website of the Western Wake Farmers’ Market: http://www.westernwakefarmersmarket.org

Twitter @wwfm

Map:

View Larger Map

We will not be keeping shop hours on Saturdays during market season.  C’mon down to the market of your choice and see us there!

Hope that clears up some confusion.

Read Full Post »

It’s the little things…

We labor under the assumption that you would like for us to stay in business.  With that in mind, I finally figured out how to exclude active specials (the items with a slash through the regular price, and a lower price in red) from additional discounting, i.e., coupon codes.  This means that for products on special you can’t get an additional discount.

I know, it make me sound like the Grinch.  Which in some ways is appropriate, especially since it’s my favorite holiday movie of all time (Charlie Brown Thanksgiving loses by a hair).  I’m even tempted to apologize, but I don’t think an apology is necessary.  Any of you who see the car I drive know I’m not getting rich off this job, and we offer great deals on a super-premium product.  So thanks for your understanding and continued patronage!

http://www.muddydogcoffee.com

WWJD (What Would Jim Drink today?):  At home the only thing I had around was a bag of When Pigz Fly Blend, named after our friends with the eclectic gift shop at 11125 Six Forks Road in Raleigh.  I do this blend just for them, you can only get it at their store.  It’s a versatile coffee – I’m enjoying it as espresso, when I formulated it for drip.  It’s Indonesian earthy with a high-end South Anerican punch, too.

Read Full Post »

When Pigz Fly

When Pigz Fly Storefront

Attention all you North Raleigh customers looking for retail outlets for our coffee!  You can now purchase Muddy Dog coffee at When Pigz Fly, a cool little eclectic artisan shop located at 11125 Six Forks Road.  It’s just north of I-540 on the left side.  It’s kind of easy to drive past (I did the first time), so look for a cottage-style electric blue building.  Their phone number is (919) 426-9127; they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Google map embedded below:
View Larger Map

When Pigz Fly is a family business that supports local artisans.  They sell all sorts of neat gift and food items, as well as antiques.  Owner Diane and her brother Jimmy have put in a ton of work refurbishing the building (just take a look at the Google Maps street view to see what it used to look like!), and have stocked it with all kinds of excellent merchandise, including many Fair Trade items.  If you go, make sure you tell them you read about it here.

The coffee selection at Pigz is still evolving.  I stocked what I thought may be popular.  I’ve already done one inventory change-out to focus on faster-moving items, and it’s bound to change again before settling in on a regular assortment.  But if there is something specific you want, especially exotics (Monsooned, Aged, etc.) or decafs, let me know and I’ll be sure to stock it there.

If you value family-owned, non-chain businesses, please stop by When Pigz Fly and vote with your wallet.  We work hard to earn your business and keep our communities interesting.

http://www.muddydogcoffee.com

WWJD (What Would Jim Drink today?): I’m drinking the When Pigz Fly blend, an Organic, Fair Trade Certified blend available ONLY at their store (that’s right, not even on my web site!).  It’s an interesting marriage of high-altitude South American and bold, earth Indonesian – all of the body, with the high-end punch, too.

This one is just for the search engines: When Pigs Fly, 11125 Six Forks Road, Raleigh NC 27614 (919) 426-9127

Read Full Post »

Muddy Dog Coffee now at Neomonde Bakery & Deli

All those late evening vegetable moussakas finally did the trick… Muddy Dog coffee is now being served at Neomonde Bakery & Deli, at least at the Morrisville Station location. We are neighbors of Neomonde, our shop being about half a mile around the corner from them, and I have been a regular customer for a long time. Their previous supply relationship ended recently, and they were happy to have a local supplier – REALLY local, in this case. They will start serving our coffee in the cafe sometime this week, and we will have some retail packages there by next week, including a traditional turkish coffee.

In case you don’t know about Neomonde, you should – they have fantastic middle eastern cuisine and baked goods. Check out their web site to see the menus. Here’s the address info for the Morrisville location:

Morrisville Café
At Morrisville Station
10235 Chapel Hill Road (Hwy. 54)
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 466-8100 Phone
(919) 466-0860 Fax

Hours
Monday-Saturday: 9am – 9pm
Sunday: 9am – 7pm
View Map

http://www.muddydogcoffee.com

Read Full Post »