| Lake Nona enjoys new market Jan. 7, 2010  Handmade jewelry, fresh pasta, seafood and vegetables, orange trees, gourmet coffee and airbrush tattoos can all be found at the new Lake Nona Outdoor Market, open every Sunday along Narcoossee Road. Photos by Megan Stokes By Megan Stokes Sun Staff Ina Denton spent a recent Sunday afternoon sipping gourmet coffee, browsing homemade jewelry and showing off her Labrador-mix, Leo, to neighborhood children at the new Lake Nona Outdoor Market. "You can really tell people have been hungry for this," she said of the developing community. "We are Winter Park Farmers' Market wannabes. If we can bring that style and range of products to this area it will be a real boon for Lake Nona."  This is East Orlando's third farmers market, joining ranks with the Waterford Lakes market held Saturday mornings and the Avalon Park market held the second Sunday of each month. Omar Caiola, the person behind this and five other developing farmers markets in Central Florida, said it takes at least three months to get a steady market following. This was evident on a recent Sunday in the La Vina Plaza on the corner of Dowden and Narcoossee roads where the market is held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A small crowd of curious visitors perused the healthy selection of vegetables, unique sauces from local business Chef Robby, rows of pure honey and snack vendors who sold kettle corn, sandwiches and hot dogs. "I bought two things already and I've only passed the first few tents," said Diane Kirton, who lives in Moss Park. "By the time I get to the end my purse will be empty." Gita Smith, owner of Chic Fashions, which sells homemade glass pendent jewelry, said the market was slow but that she believes more people will come once the word spreads. "It is good for the neighborhood, getting the people out and mingling. It helps them get a sense of community. It's a local place where you can get local products," said the East Orlando resident.  Caiola said he hand-picked 35 vendors he knew from existing farmers markets. He said their experience has taught them how to build successful markets and they'll tough out the first few months, which tend to be slower. "It is a work in progress," he said. "I am working with professionals who come back because they see the potential in the market." One vendor is using the market as a launching pad for a business that is planned to open this February. Deborah Theroux, owner of JonDe Gourmet Coffee and the future JonDe Cafe, started selling coffee and baked goods in 2008. Noticing a lack of trendy, upscale cafes in Lake Nona, she decided to set up shop within the La Vina Plaza. "The farmers market is a wonderful avenue to bring news to the community. Seeing the smile on peoples' faces when they taste a good gourmet coffee makes me optimistic for opening day," she said. Another key to success, said Caiola, is reaching out to community businesses and organizations and offering fundraising and partnership opportunities. "Honestly if you don't get involved in the communities you're serving it's not going to work out," he said. |
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Sunday, January 10, 2010
EAST ORLANDO SUN NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
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