Pure Markette Comes To Baldwin

An oasis appears in a farmers market desert

Baldwin kicked off their market season with the Wednesday June 19th Grand Opening of Pure Markette in their downtown area.
We caught up with Volunteer Market Manager Meredith Gremel to get the skinny on this new initiative put on by our neighbor to the north.

How did Pure Markette  get started? Who were the major players in getting it off the ground?
 This initiative was one of the top five short-term needs identified in the Village of Baldwin Downtown Development Authority (DDA) 2023 Vision Plan. More than 750 residents, seasonal homeowners, visitors, business owners and community partners provided input and expressed the need for a community gathering space and greater access to fresh fruit and vegetables. I served on the Vision Plan Development Committee and raised my hand to lead the efforts to launch, as executing a top priority not only says ‘we listened,’ but also cultivates believers in our long term vision.  My husband Andy’s company, The Gremel Group, donated initial seed funding, and as a member of the DDA, he advocated for the DDA to support financially.  The DDA is our top sponsor, and several of the DDA members’ businesses also provided funding, including Lake-Osceola State Bank, Baldwin Lumber, and Wenger Insurance.  Additional sponsors include Lake County Community Foundation, Priority Health, Apex-Insurance, MSU Extension Services,  Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Corewell Health, ServPro, Lake County Sportsman’s Club,  L Lake Association, Marquette Trails Golf, Fredenberg Carpentry, and individual donations through the Friends of the Pure Markette.
 Jodi Nichols, Executive Director, Lake County Economic Development Alliance, has been a tremendous supporter and advocate for the Pure Markette, serving with me as Co-Chair of the Pure Markette Planning Committee.  We held our first meeting with volunteer leaders in the community in early February and have been very busy developing the Markette in time for our June 19 Grand Opening.
 
Tell us about the name?
 One of the first things we did to build awareness for the farmers-makers market project was to announce a naming contest at our Feb. 28 community open house.  We had great participation with 181 entries submitted and 15 played with the Pere Marquette in the name as this world renown tributary is an angler’s dream and is the location for the first brown trout planting in the US in 1884.  Plus, Pure=all things fresh from the farm and handmade; Markette sounds like Marquette.  Google Pure Markette and we are in fine company with Pure Michigan and Pere Marquette.   Sarah Slattery, former graphic designer from when I owned a marketing communications company, designed the logo below, along with her daughter who created the illustration.  Devin coincidentally did the mural in the new, extended terminal at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.  You can see how the professional branding looks on the cool 10 bright blue branded tents we created for our community partners to reserve at no cost – creating greater connectivity service resources, social organizations, and other area nonprofits.   
 
Why is this project important?
 I like to say the Pure Markette is much more than a place to buy tomatoes and potatoes. It is a place to Explore. Discover. Connect. (EDC – economic development cultivator) … and ultimately, our community will Thrive physically, mentally, socially and ultimately financially.  (This map from the Michigan Farmers Market association is a stark reminder of the food desert called Lake County.  We are the lone red circle).
 
 What are the goals for Pure  Markette
 In addition to the comment above, we have a long-term goal to continue to expand the Pure Markette, the variety of vendors and community partners  joining us each week, and ultimately raise funds for a permanent, year-round Community Gathering Space that is financially self-sustaining.
 
Will this be held every week? If so, what part of the year will it operate?
 We are open Wednesdays from 3-7 pm through Labor Day (the free, live music concert series starts at 7 pm in the Pavilion adjacent to the Markette and draws a great crowd).  We are surveying our vendors to switch to Saturdays through October to take advantage of the fall harvest, color tours, salmon run, side-by-side events, and deer hunting. 
 
How do potential vendors get information?
 Both the vendor and community group applications are online at www.villageofbaldwin.org.  The completed application can be emailed directly to me at [email protected], or mailed to the Village offices at 620 Washington, Baldwin, MI 49304 – attn: Pure Markette (office hours are M-Th, 8 am – 4 pm). We will reach out to applicants after we review their information.  Products must be grown, processed or produced in Michigan, as close to Lake County as possible.  We do not allow resale items, and we are looking for ‘up north’ themed makers that reflect the beauty of our natural resources and Lake County.  We are also careful to have a wide variety of products and minimal duplication so our vendors do well.
 
Anything to add?
 The Pure Markette is a 100% volunteer run initiative and we are most grateful to everyone who has stepped up to provide their time, talents and in-kind donations each week.  Markette sustainability is much more than our commitment to the environment and providing healthy food products.  It takes many volunteers to help run the Markette and ensure an exceptional visitor and vendor experience.  Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up at the Pure Markette Welcome Center, or email me.
 We also GREATLY appreciate all those who follow Pure Markette on Facebook, our new Instagram channel PureMarketteSocial, and encourage family, friends and colleagues to attend and support the Markette.
 Our Grand Opening was on Wed., June 19  and drew several hundred attendees and 31  vendors and community partners – not to mention the 30 volunteers who stepped up in the blazing heat to help.
 The Markette is located in the parking lot behind 830 Michigan (M-37) in downtown Baldwin.  The iconic Jones Ice Cream is an easy marker.