Fifth Street Farmers Market attracts opening-day crowd

A small crowd quickly formed near the Underground Bagels booth at the Fifth Street Farmers Market on Wednesday. 

Owner George Meyer smiled as he kept up with orders for his hand-rolled, water-boiled and baked-fresh bagels. 

When the rush was over, he relaxed for a moment.

“I’m running out. It’s a good day,” Meyer said. 

It was Underground Bagels' second year at the downtown market, and Meyer knew what brought him back. 

“Location, great vibes, great vendors,” he said. 

A rainy start was washed away by sunshine on opening day of the event organized by the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association. 

Organizers use the words “Farm, Fresh and Fun,” to describe the weekly gathering that runs 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through September.  

Offerings from about 60 vendors included pottery, jewelry, art, flowers, bread, honey, microgreens, chocolate bars and hand-dipped corn dogs. 

Young and old strolled up and down Fifth Street, crossing Sherman Avenue, some stopping to listen to live music.  

Alcohol sales, part of a pilot program last year, were not brought back this year. 

Tanden and Nichole Launder, event directors, said the market in its third year was off to a strong start. He expects they will have more than 100 vendors, both new and returning, over the course of the summer. 

“We're a vetted market now,” Tanden Launder said. 

He said the market has established a good reputation.

“People understand there is good value coming to this market,” Launder sad. “They're spending money, which is the most important part.” 

Jamie and Bob Olmo, owners of Bear Paw Honey, drove from Priest River to have a booth at the market for a second year. 

They were glad to be back. 

“There’s always a new influx of all the guests that show up in this town and you get the locals,” Bob Olmo said.  

Jaymie Olmo said she sees a lot of new faces and sales are usually pretty sweet.

“Everybody likes honey,” she said. 

    People visit with vendors at the Fifth Street Farmers Market on Wednesday.
  

    Bob and Jaymie Olmo, owners of Bear Paw Honey, pose with their products at the Fifth Street Farmers Market on Wednesday.