New Farmers Market Opens in Southwest Cape Coral

CAPE CORAL, Fla.—Cape Coral is adding another stop for fresh food and local finds. The Southwest Cape Coral Farmers Market opens this year, offering residents a new midweek option to shop small and support local businesses.

Unlike most area markets that run on weekends, this one sets up on Thursday mornings at the German American Social Club. Event organizers say about 45 vendors participate each week.

Organizer Shelley Gentry says the goal is to create more opportunities for vendors and the community. “These vendors wanted something to do during the week, so we decided to build something incredible for Cape Coral. We decided to do a market on Thursday,” Gentry said.

For vendors like George Guyon, he says events like this allow for people to come out when there's not such a crowd, " I feel like when you go to an overcrowded farmers market, people are less inclined to ask questions. This makes it feel more personal."

Vendors come from across Southwest Florida, offering a wide variety of goods. Shoppers can find handmade jewelry, fresh food, coffee, cutting boards, soaps, and more. One of the vendors, Cat Oswalt, teams up with her son to sell homemade dips and his beef jerky.

Oswalt says the weekday schedule helps reach people who cannot always make it to weekend markets. “There are so many people who have weird days off. People who work in the service industry do not necessarily have weekends off. Even snowbirds want something to do during the week,” she said.

There are also fresh produce and food from all over the world. From Empanadas to traditional Greek foods. Even strawberries so fresh they're almost too perfect to eat. 

The Southwest Cape Coral Farmers Market is held every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., giving locals another reason to get out, shop local, and enjoy a community gathering during the workweek.