Soap, candles (especially beeswax), or sheepskin (wool) products are definitely part of the farmer's market. Chalk painted furniture, beading, & vintage clothes are not. And that's fully on the head of whomever runs the market. They do it to appeal to a bigger group that come in to stroll. Around me there are several like that and exactly as you say, expensive mediocre produce and not much of it. About half of the rest is "vintage" market rather than a farmers market. OTOH, there are 2 flea markets that have produce sellers. Their tables are piled high with great produce and usually half price of local markets. Weird dichotomy. Have never asked but I'd bet the reason they don't go to the farmers markets is the high space cost.
^^^Agree 99%
Soap, candles (especially beeswax), or sheepskin (wool) products are definitely part of the farmer's market. Chalk painted furniture, beading, & vintage clothes are not. And that's fully on the head of whomever runs the market. They do it to appeal to a bigger group that come in to stroll. Around me there are several like that and exactly as you say, expensive mediocre produce and not much of it. About half of the rest is "vintage" market rather than a farmers market. OTOH, there are 2 flea markets that have produce sellers. Their tables are piled high with great produce and usually half price of local markets. Weird dichotomy. Have never asked but I'd bet the reason they don't go to the farmers markets is the high space cost.