Living Local! I remember as a kid growing up, my mother would take me to the local shoe shop to get shoes or have them repaired. My Dad would travel to the local independent hardware store for the one screw he needed to finish a task. He would also go to the local bakery we frequented almost daily, for a smell of the pastries and the generosity of the baker as he offered us a sample. During my childhood, like many, we supported and did business with our local shops. These businesses were not just in our community to make a dime, but were invested. They were our friends, sponsored our ball teams, attended the same church and offered a quality product at a fair price. We could trust them!
As I turned into an adult, the BIG BOX trend slowly drove these independent businesses out. We forgot how much they meant to our vibrant community and opted for lesser quality and lower prices. We lost not just the local baker or the hardware guy, but the folks who we could trust for good, solid advice and guidance. Someone we had a close relationship with who was invested in our community the same as us. 
Looking back on the transformation of the Binford Boulevard corridor, one of the most gratifying outcomes of this incredible effort was the push to live and shop local. Through this effort it became apparent just how important the local business is to where we live, work, and play. Without this effort, we would still be staring at shuttered storefronts and a blighted neighborhood.
Along with business returning to the BRAG community was the establishment of the Binford Farmers Market. What better place to come and visit local business and support those who grow and produce local products. People who are invested and provide fresh, local quality products at a fair price. People like you and I who work hard and really care about what they do.
This Saturday is the first farmers market of the 2014 season and marks the beginning of a new era as the market takes up its new home at Lawrence North High School. We are very excited to have the market directly across from our business and proud to be one of the original participants. We can’t thank the community enough for the generous support of our business over the years. The support from the community to live, work, and play locally has been a real bonus to us and reaffirms our commitment to you.
The market has done much to continue the push to shop local and provide a wonderful place to find fresh produce and healthy choices while interacting with friends, neighbors and even a few canine’s.
Be sure to carve out a few minutes to stop by, get some fresh air, do some shopping, and buy good quality products from your friends in this community. The same folks who live, work, and play in the same community as we do!
See you Saturday, May 3rd from 8-12:00