By Martie Thompson
editor@floridanewsline.com
Back in 2015 the then-pastor of First Christian Church on San Jose Boulevard listened to the wishes of some congregation members and approved the formation of a crafts market in the church’s parking lot. Starting with just five vendors, the market grew and became known as the Second Saturday Arts and Farmers Market — making it easy to remember the date each month that the market is open.
A few years later, after the pastor and the original congregants had moved away, Mary Buskohl-Coulton agreed to take over the administration of the market.
“I had been to the market and seen its success, both as a customer and a sometime vendor,” Buskohl-Coulton said. “I knew how popular it was and so I took it over and set about trying to get the word out to more people.”
Buskohl-Coulton said that of the original five vendors, two are still at the market each month. They generally have about 50 different vendors, but that number grows to around 70 during the Christmas season, when the market is both outdoors and indoors. Vendors include various crafts, food, (including fruits and vegetables in season), jewelry, local honey, baked goods, soaps, Scentsy, candles, a butcher, personal care, clothes, and more.
“I do try to keep duplication of vendors to a minimum to provide the widest variety for customers,” Buskohl-Coulton said.
Hosted by First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Second Saturday Arts and Farmers Market is considered an outreach of the church and vendor rentals support some of the church’s missions. Buskohl-Coulton said the main programs supported are the Mandarin Food Bank, the church’s preschool program, and the Florida Christian Apartments in Jacksonville, which are affiliated with the Disciples of Christ denomination and provide low-income housing for disabled senior citizens.
“When you shop the market you also support outreach programs,” Buskohl-Coulton said. “We are family friendly and (well behaved and on leash) pet friendly. Everyone is welcome!”
The Second Saturday Arts and Farmers Market is located at 11924 San Jose Blvd. It is open the second Saturday of each month (May’s market will be on May 11) from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. During the hot summer months of June, July and August, the market closes an hour earlier, at 1 p.m.
CUTLINE
Photo courtesy Mary Buskohl-Coulton
