New roots at Riverstone

COEUR d’ALENE — Tracy O’Brien didn't just like the new home of the Kootenai County Farmers’ Market on Wednesday.

She loved it.

"I am beyond the top excited for this," said O’Brien, owner of Willow Wood Honey Farm in Athol.

She has been with the Kootenai County Farmers’ Market for more than a decade, so when it opened on Main Street at Riverstone, she wanted to be there.

It was everything she hoped, with a steady crowd buzzing about the fruits of her bees’ labor, buying raw honey and beeswax skin products.

"Sometimes, hard times bring huge blessings and I think that this is a win-win for everybody," said O'Brien, who puts in plenty of labor of her own.

The Kootenai County Farmers’ Market Association’s Wednesday market in downtown Coeur d’Alene lasted nearly two decades, but relocated after parting ways with the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association, which now hosts its own downtown market, also on Wednesdays, from 4 to 7 p.m.

About 80 vendors lined Main Street and Beebe Boulevard at Riverstone and were greeted by adults and kids enjoying the beautiful afternoon.

The day was marked by sunshine, balloons, music and the smells of an array of food.

Flowers, plants, painted rocks, biscotti, toffee, produce and burgers were just a few of the offerings.

Bonnie Crain’s colorful pottery lined shelves and caught the attention of many who stopped to talk and buy.

Crain was thrilled with the turnout. She has been part of the Kootenai County Farmers’ Market on Saturday at U.S. 95 and Prairie Avenue since 1991, and had been downtown for more than 15 years.

Her coffee mugs are a market staple, and she plans to stay with Riverstone on Wednesdays.

"Just look, this is crazy," she said. "Everybody who talked to me said, 'I love this.'"

Laurie Bailey of Lake City Bakers was having a good time chatting with customers. She liked the setting and vibe of the Riverstone market, scheduled to run through September.

"It’s going to be awesome for us. I think, all in all, we made a good move," she said. "We have a lot of people supporting us."

Kathy Hanson of Kathy’s Kreations worked and sold downtown Wednesdays for seven years and decided to move with the Kootenai County Farmers’ Market.

"We're still feeling it out, but it seems to be busy and people are liking it," Hanson said.

Slices and whole pies were selling like, well, hot pie at Versalia Pizza.

"Super busy," Abbey Graybeal said during a break. "Good to see everybody."