Dripping Springs Farmers Market expands, tests second weekly market

9 Dripping Springs Farmers Market expands, tests second weekly market

Thanks to the steady increase in the growth and popularity of the Dripping Springs Farmers Market, the city of Dripping Springs expanded its market twice this year: first, by moving its location and, second, by adding a second market day.

The Dripping Springs Farmers Market left Veterans Memorial Park, moving from downtown Dripping Springs to The Pound House Farmstead, less than a mile north.

The DSFM held its soft opening at The Pound House on Wednesday, March 23, from 3 to 6 p.m. — keeping the same day and time as its previous location. The market had its grand opening at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30, with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce. These occasions each marked a change in tradition since the market first began at Veterans Memorial Park, in an area often referred to as “The Triangle.”

Founded in 2009, the DSFM is one of the oldest weekday markets in Central Texas. It has held the title as the number one Farmers Market in Texas three times in the last five years, and it consistently remains in the top three not only in the state but also in the southwest region, according to the American Farmland Trust. Meanwhile, The Pound House Farmstead has been the center of Dripping Springs’ heritage since the 1850’s — first as the original log cabin home of one of the town’s founding families and, in recent decades, as a history museum. Combining the two local landmarks is a recognition of the agrarian heritage of Dripping Springs, according to representatives from each.

“As a founding family of what is now Dripping Springs, the Pounds were at the hub of community life, opening their house and grounds to serve as a medical office and hospital, church sanctuary, schoolhouse and social gathering place,” said Jenny Pack, executive director of The Pound House Farmstead. “Bringing the Dripping Springs Farmers Market to our farmstead… it’s a perfect partnership.”

The new location also provides more room for vendors, activities and future growth, Pack added.

Further expanding the opportunity for vendors and visitors, the DSFM was given permission by the city of Dripping Springs to test a second market day, with trials running on Saturday mornings throughout November and December.

The second market began at DSFM’s original location at The Triangle on Saturday, Nov. 5. It ran weekly through Saturday, Dec. 31, with the exception of Dec. 3 (the weekend of the Christmas on Mercer festival), after which point the city was scheduled to re-evaluate and determine the demand for the second market.

“Dripping Springs has grown significantly since the Farmers Market opened in 2009, and over the last year, we’ve consistently received feedback from customers and vendors asking for us to expand to Saturdays,” said Farmers Market Manager Charlie Reed. “A lot of folks who’ve moved to Dripping Springs want the benefits of a farmers market but don’t have access during the workweek. With Dripping Springs’ growth as well as its evolution into a regional destination, the city feels there is potential in offering a bi-weekly service that increases access to healthy and local choices for residents and visitors, and this trial run during the busy holiday season will give us greater insight into how strong that demand is without impacting the success of the established Wednesday market.”