A fresh start

COEUR d’ALENE — For Rebekah Garvin, opening day of the inaugural 5th Street Farmers Market was a dream come true, something she said she could check off the bucket list.

The owner of Beach Bum Bakery had good reason to be beaming as a line about 10-people deep formed in front of her booth on a sunny Wednesday afternoon.

“I’m really excited to be part of the new one downtown,” Garvin said.

The 5th Street Farmers Market led by the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association enjoyed perfect first day conditions to kick off the weekly event.

By 5 p.m., hundreds of people in the mood to spend money were wandering down one side of the street and up the other.

Honey, flowers, kettle corn, burgers, micro-greens, berries and pet gifts were just a few of the offerings from about 30 vendors.

Courtney and Company, the musical duo of Courtney Riddle and David Powell, performed some classic country tunes at Fifth and Sherman to add to the festive mood.

“There’s a lot of people down here today,” Powell said. “I think it’s drawing a good crowd.”

Powell was playing a harp guitar, instruments he and his brother make and sell out of their Sandpoint business, Tonedevil Guitars.

He said a handful of people can play it.

“I know most of them, actually,” he said, smiling.

For nearly two decades, the Kootenai County Farmers’ Market Association held a market on Fifth Street on Wednesdays, as it partnered with the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association, until they parted ways.

The Downtown Association took over the downtown market and hired a director, and the Kootenai County Farmers' Market Association found a new home for its Wednesday market that opens May 17 at Riverstone.

Coeur d’Alene resident Joy Gerlach visited the Fifth Street market and plans to attend the Riverstone market next week.

She believes they will complement each other.

“Two markets will make it in the area,” she said.

O’Houlis Kettle Corn plans to be at both, too.

Colton Houlihan of Coeur d’Alene manned the booth Wednesday, while dad John will be at Riverstone next week. It's a family business, with brother Colin Houlihan operating the kettle corn booth in Boise.

Colton Houlihan combined oil, corn, sugar and salt to make a new batch Wednesday, putting on a good show for customers.

“It’s a lot of work for little pay, but at the same time, it’s better than having a 9 to 5,” he said. “I love it. Go to a show, meet cool people.”

Perry Martin, owner of The Coeur d’Alene Dressing Company, signed on for the downtown market for the first time.

He liked how it was going early on, as customers kept stopping for samples, conversation and dressings.

“Seems like it’s moving well,” Martin said.

Debra Woosley of Spirit Lake was impressed when she saw the big crowd.

“Usually it takes a while for them to get this many vendors,” she said.

Elizabeth Brandt had a booth at the market for her Paw Kids business, which offers handmade bandanas that slip through pet collars.

Her husband will be at Riverstone next week representing Paw Kids.

Brandt wasn't sure two Wednesday markets were necessary, but wants to be part of both.

“We have a lot of customers here,” she said.

The 5th Street Farmers Market will run 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through September.

The Kootenai County Farmers' Market will run 4 to 7 p.m. on Main Street at Riverstone, also through September.