For the past couple summers, you could find me on Sundays from 10 to 1 at the Linden Hills farmers market running the Jewelry by Samy booth for my friend Samy. I helped countless customers pick out gifts that would delight friends, or the perfect pair of earrings for an upcoming wedding. I learned a lot from the community of vendors there about how they started their businesses, the challenges they were facing, and their dreams for the future. I also learned a lot about the Linden Hills community.

 

Linden Hills is one of the most charming, walkable business districts in Minneapolis. The farmers market provides a central focus point for the area on sleepy Sundays when even the public library is closed. Summer colors are on full display as parents shop with their dogs and children in sun dresses and athletic wear.

 

The market is small but mighty. While often slim on produce options, it is rich in prepared foods, Handmade goods, and seasonal specialties like apples and maple syrups. The walkable shopping oasis is a balm to my suburban soul.

 

All of this got me thinking: St. Louis Park is missing out on a great opportunity for community building and small business development. St. Louis Park residents like me travel to Hopkins on Saturday mornings and Linden Hills or Golden Valley on Sundays, but lack a farmers market of our own. It’s time to change that. Let’s establish a SLP farmers market in historic Walker Lake or another comparable business area.

 

A farmers market will give families something fun to walk or bike to. It will provide local musicians with a venue to share their music, and vendors with another space to sell their wares. It will increase access to fresh local produce in our community. Importantly, it will bring people out to our business districts. Let’s come together to establish a St. Louis Park Farmers Market in 2026.

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- Sarah Steffen