ENGLEWOOD — Open-air markets are gaining popularity in Southwest Florida, particularly during the mild winter seasons, and Englewood may be the epicenter of the movement.
The newest market to open on Englewood’s West Dearborn Street is through the vision of the Hesse Family.
Scott Hesse and his daughter Sarah talked about how an open air-market at a permanent site could bring the community to the next level.
“The goal is to bring business to Dearborn Street — and give community members something to do,” Sarah Hesse said. “During snowbird season, they will be able to come and enjoy the market, too.”
The Market on Dearborn is in its beginning phase with a farmer’s market opening on Thursdays, joining the other markets already operating on the street. The two largest are both well-established, and convene on Thursday on the 300 block of West Dearborn: the Olde Englewood Village Farmer’s Market, operated by the Rotary Club of Englewood Sunset, and Joyce Colmar’s Dearborn Street Market, directly across the street. Smaller markets have sprung up on commercial properties in the same vicinity.