New Outdoor Market Comes to Westchase

Starting in October, they'll be another option for fresh veggies and local goods in Westchase.

The Fresh Market at Westchase Town Center will open on Saturday, Oct. 13 on the grassy lawn in Westchase Town Center at 9622 W. Linebaugh Ave. The market will re-open every second Saturday of the month through May.

The market will feature local vendors selling produce, including local, and homemade crafted products, and food items.

The market is operated by Tampa Bay Markets, a grassroots company that organizes and operates different open-air fresh markets throughout the area.

They currently run markets at Wiregrass Mall, Seminole Heights and Hyde Park.

Westchase was chosen as their next location because of the family nature of the neighborhood.

"I feel the community needs a market out there...they need a source that's local and to be able to get gifts handmade by people. You've got your baked goods, you can grab lunch, live music," said Tiffany Ferrecchia, director of operations for Tampa Bay Markets.

There are between 70-80 vendor spaces available at the market. Sixty have already been booked.

"At this point our goal is to keep some spaces open to allow for more of the local vendors to come out of the wood works and apply to the market," Ferrecchia said.

The market will be located in Westchase's Town Center area on a patch of land that also host other outdoor events like World of Beer WOBtoberfest and the occasional Budweiser Clydesdale Horses appearance event hosted by Maloney's Local Irish Pub.

"I'm super excited," said Maloney's manager Chelsea Grosenbah about the new market. "Anytime we have an event here it's always a great time."

Market organizers hope Westchasers will walk and bike to the market.

"This will be more of a neighborhood experience and a place where people can walk to from their house or ride their bikes," Ferrecchia said. "And we'll have a place where they can park their bikes."