Excerpted from an article by Dirk Van Susteren which appears in the pages of Vermont Life’s 2009-10 winter issue.

Large empty buildings, like the Strand Theatre in Rutland, can haunt a downtown — battered husks of a more prosperous time. But this particular building was about to be saved.

Over in nearby Depot Park, a group of farmers, growers and vendors had been holding a lively Summer Farmers Market for years, spurred along by Vermont's emerging local-food movement. Gradually, an idea took shape: If carrots could sell in July, why not in January? Why not start a Winter Farmers Market?

Greg Cox, the owner of Boardman Hill Farm in West Rutland, joined with other summer market vendors and arranged a lease with the local owner of the Strand Theatre. Then, with support from city officials, they began reviving the place.

It was “a community project,” says Cox. About $7,000 was raised to install a new emergency exit, volunteers emerged to help with the scrubbing and repainting, and several businesses contributed. Gilmore Home Center in Bomoseen donated paint; Noble Ace Hardware in Rutland offered new lighting; Rotella Building Materials of Rutland contributed lumber; and Fabian Earthmoving of West Rutland delivered stone to construct a loading dock. “We also invited local artists to paint wall murals to make the place more vibrant,” says Cox.

The market launched in the winter of 2007–2008 and quickly demonstrated the synergy that can occur when Vermont farmers, Vermont food consumers and a Vermont downtown meet in one place.

“The impact has been huge, says Jen Hogan, owner of the new Café Terra coffee shop, one of several nearby businesses to enjoy the ripple effect of the winter market. “On Saturday mornings, the streets fill up.”

The Rutland Winter Farmers Market features vegetable growers (lots of root crops), craftspeople, bakers, orchardists, weavers, vintners, even Asian takeout (Young-la's garlicky Korean noodles are often gone by noon).

It is open  Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., November through April, 77 Wales St., Rutland, VT. (802) 438-9803.

To read the full story, and to see photographs from the market, visit www.VermontLife.com or pick up a copy of our winter issue today!

For more information and a listing of Farmers Markets -->