Not just tomatoes!

The Grove Tower Farmers' market provides food, culture and community.

By Jaden Harper

A bustling communit y event and the largest farmers' market in the St. Louis area, the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market features more than 60 vendors and is open on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Founded by Patrick Horine and Jennifer Ryan in 2006 to give back to the local community, the farmer’s market has transformed into an opportunity for local farmers and artisans to showcase their produce and creative talents.

The Tuesday Market is located in the heart of Tower Grove Park from 4 p.m. to sunset. Producers and vendors offer a wide array of items, from baked goods to vegetables to homemade gifts. Food trucks like Holy Crepe and Farmtruk are available to serve hungry guests, while artists like Abby Lawrence and Taylor Emery sell unique crafts and products.

The Saturday Market, which is also located in Tower Grove Park, runs from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m on Saturdays. Besides the many different vendors that set up shop, an all levels yoga class is hosted by Kim Winn Yoga at 9:30 a.m. The relaxing classes are drop-in and pay-what-you-can, which makes it simple for visitors to attend. Furthermore, Gadellent Saturday Sessions provides live, acoustic music from 10 a.m. to noon and runs from May to the first week of October. The concert series features local and regional artists, all performing free and family-friendly music under the West Pool Pavilion in Tower Grove Park.

In 2018, the Tower Grove Farmers Market expanded to The Boulevard in Richmond Heights, where a smaller, more intimate farmers market occurs every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Boulevard Farmers Market is home to a diverse array of local farmers and artisans such as Ann’s Roots, Friedel Family Farm and Howie Farms & Produce. Since The Boulevard Farmers Market is considerably smaller than the original Tower Grove Farmers’ Market, shoppers are easily able to find a parking space and get in and out quickly.

A major improvement that has recently been made to the market in 2022 is increased parking for visitors.

Previously, lack of available parking was a problem, but Tower Grove Baptist Church has agreed to allow vendors to use its lot to increase available parking space near the market. This will not only allow better access to the market but also allow more visitors overall. Additionally, Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) can be used to purchase goods at the market, which allows even more visitors to participate in the lively farmers market.

Whether you’re looking for baked goods, vegetables or unique gifts, the Tower Grove Farmers Market has something for everyone.