Columbus Farmers' Market

      Thursday, August 19, 2021: I liked farmers’ markets, even though I didn’t usually buy much there, but I do buy a few items whenever I’m at a farm market or farmers’ market. On the date above, I visited the Delaware Valley’s oldest and largest flea & farmers’ market: Columbus Farmers’ Market, 2919 Route 206, Columbus (Burlington County), New Jersey (609-267-0400). At first glance, I could see that they were not kidding: This place was huge. Inside, this market contained over 65 retail stores divided into six color-coded sections. Here, the retail stores sold many kinds of merchandise: foods, toys, and cosmetics, as well as different services, jewelry, clothing, home furnishing & interiors, electronics, luggage, etc. Other businesses included restaurants, an arcade, pet supplies, outdoor furnishings, and an Amish section. (This was my favorite section.) The Amish area had a restaurant, and they sold many kinds of foods and some crafts. As if that weren’t enough, on some days there were outdoor vendors selling their share of food and non-food items—usually at bargain prices. Another area called Produce Row, sold many different foods in addition to produce and flowers. Nearby was a gardening area, a farm equipment area, and a pallet supply company, as well as an area selling sheds, a self-storage area, and a Goodwill store. Whew! Meanwhile the only complaint I had was the lack of shopping carts. Other farmers’ markets provided them, and it helped when one was buying several items and didn’t wish to carry all of them through the market. An added bonus would be something to rest on as one’s feet and legs got tired walking through such a large shopping area. In the meantime, somebody could bring a folding shopping cart, but he or she couldn’t lean on it.