ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A new farmers market in west Orange County brings locally made and organic products to the comfort of shopping in an indoor environment.
West Oaks Farmers on Friday is holding its grand opening in the West Oaks Mall at 9401 W. Colonial Drive.
Gregory McLeod said he came up with the idea of an indoor farmers market in May after seeing how the weather could ruin shopping plans at other farmers markets in Central Florida.
“The weather sometimes messes things up,” McLeod said. “It’s Florida, so I decided how come you never see any indoors farmers markets, and it just went from there.”
McLeod said he grew up shopping at the West Oaks Mall and contacted the general manager after he saw empty spaces from businesses that have left the mall.
“I pretty much approached him to get some foot traffic back into this place,” McLeod said. “I wanted to try to give it another life and he loved the idea.”
Several vendors from the Ocoee area also got onboard and signed up for the West Oaks farmers market.
“As of right now, we have local baked goods, we have a local florist. Everything’s organic,” McLeod said. “I think it’s a really good idea for all small businesses to reach out if you have something that you think is special.”
West Oaks Farmers will be open in the common area of the West Oaks Mall on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
McLeod said he frequently posts updates on the West Oaks Farmers Facebook page here.
Any vendor who is interested in being part of the farmers market is encouraged to email westoaksfarmers@gmail.com
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