Looking for fresh, locally grown produce in Henrico? Now, there is a new place to find it.
The Lakeside Farmers' Market at Lakeside Towne Center -- the brainchild of Lakeside property owners Peter and Sharon Francisco -- opened May 3 on Lakeside Avenue, near Hilliard Road.
The market will operate twice weekly -- on Wednesdays and Saturdays -- through Thanksgiving, Sharon Francisco said. It will feature two sessions on Wednesdays (from 8 a.m. to noon and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and an 8 a.m. to noon session on Saturdays. Each session will include as many as 11 produce vendors, most from within 50 miles of the site.
The Franciscos, who own a number of properties in Lakeside, hatched the idea several years ago after they had purchased the Towne Center property, which was vacated by a SuperValu grocery store in 2003. The couple divided the empty building and created the center, which features a variety of shops with individual store-front entrances. Then they decided that an outdoor farmers' market also might be an appropriate fit for the site.
"We have just also liked farmers' markets and thought it would be a really nice idea for Lakeside," Sharon Francisco said. "We have this passion for home-grown and locally grown food."
Apparently, so do many others in the region.
"It has really struck a chord with the community, especially since the grocery store closed," Francisco said.
The market, which will be the only one of its kind in Henrico, will operate in a fenced-in area between the Towne Center and an adjacent CVS store. In addition to serving the immediate community, the Franciscos hope that it will attract more people to Lakeside to shop, eat and visit.
"We thought it would be a win-win for everybody," Francisco said.
The market is one more addition to the rebirth of Lakeside, which in recent years has witnessed an influx of shops and restaurants that have joined long-time tenants such as Franco's Fine Clothier and Lakeside Appliance. The popularity of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden also has helped spur renovation efforts in the area.
Henrico County recently completed the second phase of roadway improvements on Lakeside Avenue, repaving a section of the road and adding new curb, gutter and a median area as well as a sidewalk.
The county completed similar renovations on another section of the road several years ago, and Lakeside Avenue's makeover now stretches from Bryan Park to Hilliard Road.
The county also recently dedicated the recently rebuilt and expanded Fire Station No. 5 on Lakeside Avenue, across from the Towne Center.
The first 1,000 people to visit the new farmers' market will receive reusable yellow Lakeside Farmers' Market shopping bags.
For in-depth coverage of Henrico County, pick up a copy of Henrico's hometown newspaper - the Henrico Citizen- at Ukrop's, Kroger, Wawa or any Henrico public library, or call (804) 262-1700 to subscribe.