BIZZ BUZZ By Alaina Loughridge - Photo by Wen McNally
Farmer’s Market
4 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | JUNE 2019
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If you haven’t ventured out to Tybee’s Farmer’s Market yet, you truly
are missing out! Not only is it a great place to meet and catch up with
friends, the Market showcases our local artisans – jewelry, artwork,
birdhouses, wind chimes, and more – to fresh produce peddlers, jams,
breads, seasonings and just too much stuff to name! Held from March
through October (weather permitting) every Monday from 4-7pm in the
Tybee Lighthouse field area, each week offers a variety of something, even
for the most selective of shoppers. I had a chance to sit down with the
brain children of this adventure, Stephen and Nancie Johnson, and here
is their story…
The Johnson’s moved to Tybee in 2013 from the D.C. area to enjoy their
retirement years at the beach. He having worked in the television industry,
and she being a retired nurse, they were ready to get out of the rat race and
just relax. Their daughter had attended SCAD, so they were familiar with
the Savannah area and fell in love with Tybee. There was no question about
where to go upon retirement, it was more of what do you want to do when
we get there? For two very busy people, you cannot just sit on the beach all
day without getting an itch to do something. Nancie came up with the idea
of a Farmer’s Market on Tybee. Tybee didn’t have one and what a terrific
addition it would be! With the help of Islands Farmer’s Market and Dicky
Trotter (may he rest in peace), Stephen and Nancie started their non-profit
organization called Tybee Island Farmer’s Market and officially opened
their first Farmer’s Market in the American Legion parking lot in 2015.
Quickly outgrowing their space at the Legion, the Lighthouse offered their
field and the Johnson’s moved their operation there in 2016. Now running
25-30 vendors per week, Tybee Farmer’s Market has fast become a huge
success with not only the locals, but the tourists as well, and people travel
far and wide to participate in and enjoy in this event.
The Johnson’s are all about Tybee and community. Charging only $10 per
month for a tent space (an incredible price), they want to offer vendors an
affordable opportunity to present their wares. They also offer free spaces
to other non-profit organizations to promote their products and consistently
donate any leftover funds to sponsor the annual Turtle Trot!
Stephen said, “We are living a permanent vacation! We love Tybee!” That
attitude has spawned a much-needed event that not only promotes Tybee
and her quirky people, but brings together a variety of artisans, farmers and
craftsmen in the same location so one and all can go and be entertained,
buy a treasure for yourself or as a gift, put fresh food on your table, all the
while buying local and supporting local.
If you are interested in participating in the Tybee Island Farmer’s Market
or have any questions, you can reach Stephen and Nancie Johnson at
tybeeislandfarmersmarket.org. See you on Monday!!
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