The Batavia summer farmers market that thousands attended this past season may be over, but shoppers like Geneva resident Allison Macaione are able to pick up right where they left off thanks to the opening of the annual winter market in Batavia.
“I love the location and I’m excited to see the farmers market make a shift,” Macaione said while holding a bouquet of flowers last Saturday morning at opening day for the 11th annual winter market in downtown Batavia. “I come in the summer and I jumped right from the closing of the outdoor market last week right into this one.”
This season, the winter market sponsored by the Batavia MainStreet group moved to a new location after being offered the past few years at Grainology BrewStillery in the city.
Beth Walker, executive director of Batavia MainStreet, said the new site is yet another brewery named Sturdy Shelter at 10 S. Shumway Ave. in Batavia. The winter indoor market will be open from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday through May 9, 2026, at Sturdy Shelter.
“We’re really excited about partnering with Sturdy Shelter. They’ve really become an anchor for the downtown district. We’re excited that we’ll be able to offer additional seating so people can hang out and offer all the cozy vibe you could want out of the indoor market season,” she said.
Walker said there are plenty of things being offered at the winter market.
“You can get the fresh greens, the microgreens, the root vegetables and the mushrooms as well as apples,” she said. “Tomatoes in the store are not that good right now either, so it’s all about still getting some fresh produce as well as your staples like bread and hot sauces and cheese.”
Graham Swidenbank of Batavia, who was working behind the bar Saturday morning at Sturdy Shelter, said setting up for the first day of the winter market went rather easily and believes the layout of the facility will serve the market well.
“So far, this is amazing. It’s a great use of the space and we like to be a part of the community and bring everyone together on a Saturday morning. It’s fantastic,” he said. “We had no issues at all and people seem to like having the market start up right away from last week when the summer market closed. The (Batavia) MainStreet people like to keep the flow going.”
Sheila Provenzano of St. Charles said she has frequented the summer market as well as the winter one held last year at Grainology and agreed it was a good idea “to seamlessly keep the market going.”
“I’m a farmers market person and I get sad not only when we set the clocks back, but also when the market closes so I always come to this,” she said. “I tried the new pasta from the Ugly Noodle and I’m going to hit the bakeries too.”
Owner of the Ugly Noodle Lauren Serviss of Geneva said response Saturday was strong early on and that she was looking forward to being part of the winter market.
More Top Picks Best Phonics Programs For Early Readers
“This is the first time we’ve been part of the market. We’re going to be here every other weekend, but next year, I’d like to sign up for every weekend because I can see the market is going to be very popular,” she said.
Andrew Anderson and his wife Ashley of Geneva were sporting three full bags of merchandise they had bought at the market on Saturday. Andrew Anderson said he and his wife “come every week.”
“We’re frequent fliers. We always come for all the fresh veggies and we’ve been doing more of the meats lately,” he said. “This market is pretty tight and cozy and a good place to get everyone together. Markets are an important part of the fabric of the community and literally bring everyone together.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.