Market Off Centre

      Friday, May 5, 2023: If there was a farmers’ market in the area, I would find it! On the date above, I visited one in Merchantville (Camden County), New Jersey: Market Off Centre, along East Chestnut Avenue (856-488-0976). (This is the phone number for a coffee house/restaurant called The Station. Located in Merchantville’s former train station, this place could be a good place to rest after walking through the market or anytime in Merchantville’s downtown. Most of its menu contained vegetarian foods in the form of sandwiches & snacks, and they also served coffee and other beverages.) Altogether, along both sides of an asphalt path where the train tracks used to be, I saw about two dozen vendors who sold different kinds of merchandise: jewelry, accessories, and crafts, as well as soaps, candles, jarred foods, baked goods, etc. In addition, three food trucks had hot dogs and pretzels, as well as ice cream and soft drinks for sale. Later in the evening, Camden County Library presented “Story Time” followed by music from either a disk jockey or a local band. If nothing else, it was a good way to spend the first Friday of the month supporting local farmers, artists, and merchants. Even downtown Merchantville had its share of a variety of shops to visit earlier in the day. (While there is no more train service, a local NJ Transit Bus stops at the corner of Chestnut and Centre Streets.)