The market holds a special place for Cassie and me. It was our first step into retail—and the beginning of what would become the 5518 store.
In early 2015, we were emerging from the difficult chapter of my cancer diagnosis, trying to process—and somehow thank—the overwhelming support from our family, friends, and broader community. We came to a simple conclusion: there’s no real way to repay that kind of generosity.
So we asked a different question—what if we could give back to the greater community using our talents? That idea led us to the farmer’s market.
I still laugh at photos of our first setup and its… amateur charm. But the market quickly changed us. Saturday mornings gave us a sense of community, purpose, and momentum we hadn’t expected. We sold some goods and gained far more in return.
This year’s market opens May 16th and I hope you get a chance to stroll Park Street and visit the many Uptown’s shops and restaurants.
We’ll always credit the market—not just for helping build our business, but for helping shape who we’ve become. We hope to see you out there!
~Jon
