Part of Shockoe Bottom turns into an SUV lot every Thursday morning when the 17th Street Growers’ Market gets underway and matronly types from the suburbs descend en masse. Folks who would never consider venturing into the Bottom after dark show up early and well-heeled with fistfuls of green to get first grabs at the wares being sold in the open air.
Who can blame them?. The trophies they bring back are magnificent: beautiful flowers, quality prepared meals, pastries and even a few arts and crafts.
The market is quickly becoming one of the more popular specialty days for the 17th Street Farmers’ Market. You’re still going to find all manner of produce, but also much more. The vendors and their selections change on a week-to-week basis, so one trip is certainly not enough.
The Growers’ Market takes place every Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It, along with the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays and the Open Heirloom Market on Sundays, continues into the fall.
Tastemakers event: Toast the 26th annual Virginia Wine Festival Aug. 18 and 19 at Great Meadow in The Plains, near Warrenton. More than 350 wines from nearly all of Virginia’s 60 wineries will be available for tasting and purchasing. $16 in advance. Call 1-800-520-9670 for more information.
