Allen gets new market

The Four Seasons Market has made a name for itself in Garland and Addison and is now venturing into Collin County.

Four Seasons Markets opened an outpost at Watters Creek last Friday and welcomed Allen residents to the new venue. The market is modeled after European markets where shoppers can meet local farmers, ranchers, craftsmen and other local vendors, and sample and purchase their products at a family-friendly venue. Shoppers can visit the market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. behind Apricot Lane every Friday through November.

Joan Lumpkins of Emory and her husband own Little John’s Plant and Produce, which offers several varieties of fresh produce. According to Lumpkins, it takes two-and-a-half-days to pick the produce and prepare it for the market.

“You just get used to it,” Lumpkins said. “My husband has done this for more than 35 years — he took the business over from his father. This is what we do to earn our living. The first days are usually slower because people aren’t used to coming out, but it’s better than I thought. This will be one of our main markets.”

Vincent Hirth, founder of Four Seasons Markets, said he chose the city of Allen because it lacked a local farmers market, and the market will benefit not only the residents of Allen but will allow vendors the chance to have three selling days.

“We work with the city of Allen and they are behind everything we do, including signage,” Hirth said. “We don’t accept representatives of major producers; anything you do must be 75 percent must be handmade and local. We are trying to focus on local. We should have 35 vendors next Friday.”

Although Hirth said most markets start small, there were several vendors and shoppers enjoying the market last week. He expects more vendors in coming weeks.

“Four Seasons is usually about 54 vendors on a weekly basis,” Hirth said. “No one knows how it will turn out. We probably will have nearly 30 next week and will continue to expand. We have nearly 600 venders that have applied and so far there are only 151 that have made it.”

Four Seasons Markets vendors change weekly and markets will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. For information on Four Seasons and a complete list of vendors visit fourseasonsmarkets.com.

The farmers market is held in the parking lot behind Apricot Lane. Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm is located at U.S. 75 and Bethany Drive in Allen. For information call 972-747-8000 or visit www.watterscreek.com.

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