IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – A sense of excitement buzzed through the crowd of Saturday’s first farmers market of the season, with familiar faces mingling and new vendors setting up their stalls. Among these newcomers was Daisy’s Garden, a charming booth adorned with vibrant indoor plants and whimsical flower arrangements.
Olivia Hansen, the enthusiastic owner of Daisy’s Garden, was beaming with pride. “So, I’m offering plant starters and cute vases with little flowers in them,” she explained. “Just plants to brighten your place up and make everything look better. They’re all indoor.”
Hansen had thought carefully about her offerings, taking into account the Upper Peninsula’s long winter months. “I’ve realized that for 6 months out of the year, we only have winter, and that kills off a lot of plants sadly in our area, so indoor planting is, in my opinion, way better than having them outdoors,” she said. “I’m glad to be here. It’s my first year.”
Named after her beloved cat, Daisy, Hansen’s booth was a cheerful addition to the market. She described her plants with loving detail: “We’ve got lilies, cosmos, yellow roses, orange roses. Usually, you can put colored water and you get different colored roses. These are violets. Some of these are my mom’s, so I don’t know them all, but I do plan on selling daisies as well.”
In addition to her plants, Hansen planned to feature her sister’s creative work in future markets. “I also should be selling some of my sister’s stuff as well. She makes crayon molds. I’ll have her stuff on a separate table. She’s preparing everything for right now.”
The market day started a little slow for Hansen, but as the morning progressed, more customers began to flock to Daisy’s Garden. Hansen welcomed each visitor. “We will be having dog treats and water bottles here. I’m a pet-friendly place, and if you have a furry friend, please bring them by. I love animals, so come on over,” she added.
Other vendors filled the market with their unique offerings, creating a vibrant and diverse atmosphere. Sam’s Stitches and Knots displayed intricate handwoven crafts, accepting Venmo or cash. Dexter’s Microgreens showcased a fascinating array of microgreens, available for purchase with card or cash. Kutsara, specializing in Philippine cuisine, tantalized taste buds with their delicious dishes, though they accepted only cash and plan to appear approximately every other week.
Art lovers found solace at Wag the Day, a booth featuring delightful art pieces and doodles, while Wilson Creek attracted food enthusiasts with their homemade jams, desserts, eggs, and locally raised meats. Their farm-to-table approach drew many admirers, and they accept both cash and cards. Those who want more from Wilson’s Creek can also grab a bite from them at their farm-to-table restaurant, ‘Wilson’s Creek Cafe’, about 30–40 miles east of the downtown market.
‘Craftexia’ and ‘Dopamine Dressing’ added to the market’s eclectic charm. Craftexia, run by a young entrepreneur hoping to open an Etsy store, offered crafts and accepted cash or PayPal. ‘Craftexia’ mentioned that in addition to finding their goods at the downtown Farmer’s market, they’ll have items available inside Iron Mountain’s new Bored Bard gaming store. Dopamine Dressing, on the other hand, featured handmade and thrifted jewelry and leather goods, accepting cash and Venmo.
Long-time vendor Hedmark’s Maple Ridge LLC, celebrating 18 years at the market, was present with their famous maple syrup, which they remarkably managed to produce, even during a mild winter.
Other weekly regulars included Pleasant View Orchard, promising fresh apples by September, for now they’ll be offering pies, apple chips, other delicious baked goods and raw honey. Pleasant View mentioned they’ll be offering a 4% discount for those paying with cash, but they also accept cards as well. Shabby Chicks, another vendor, was in the market, known for their handcrafted sola wood flower bouquets and soy candles. Marcia’s Beads, offering handmade beaded jewelry and some vintage items, plans to be a weekly vendor minus 1 or 2 weekends this summer.
Stag Farms, offering local honey, will be back the 4th of July weekend. Then they plan to be weekly vendors from the beginning of August through the end of the season.
Blue Jar Farm was another hit with flowers, offering bouquets and garden decor. They plan to be a weekly vendor through the market season.
The Essential Oil Apothecary and Open Door Life Coaching and Counsel offered a wide assortment of homemade body products, essential oil roller balls, and local community support. The Essential Oil Apothecary is a returning vendor, but has many new items among its displays. One new items it offered this season: a special ‘Dog Tick Spray’ recipe curated from a veterinarian for a more natural option in keeping those creepy parasites off of our beloved pets.
As the day went on, the Iron Mountain Farmer’s Market blossomed into a lively community hub, though the rain did end things a little earlier than expected. Vendors exchanged stories and laughter, and Hansen, sitting proudly behind her booth, felt the warm embrace of her new role. “If you need to find me, I’m always at the market, Daisy’s Garden,” she said with a smile, ready to brighten Iron Mountain one plant at a time.
The Downtown Iron Mountain Farmer’s Market runs every Saturday in the Downtown Plaza from 8 a.m. to Noon CST through October.
