Rising above the rumble and grumble of construction in the Lamar Station Plaza, a different sound emerged on July 21: the sound of friendly voices and bluegrass music.
The smell of hot cement and dirt was replaced by the scent of baked goods, roasted chilies and fresh pierogies.
And so, before Lakewood Mayor Adam Paul and other city leaders officially christened it, the 40 West Farmers' Market opened for the season.
"This market is something I put together with the help of the new 40 West Farmers Market Advisory Committee," explained Gene Kalesti, the creator of the market. "The plan was to create something generational for the community."
The plan for the market is to start small --; it will be at Lamar Station Plaza, 6759 W. Colfax Ave., from 4:30-8:30 p.m., and for the grand opening there were just six vendors. But the number grew to 13 on the 28th, and aims to be 20 for the following week.
"This is just kind of a soft opening," said Kevin Yoshida, a West Colfax leader, who showed up early to peruse the new market. "We're going to be getting more vendors and people in as we go."
Kalesti has been an executive chef for 34 years, and knows what he's talking about when he comes to food. So while he's aiming to do holiday markets that focus on artisans and arts creations, the focus of this new market is simple --; the best eats around.
Miller Farms and Eat A Peach Farms are among the smaller sized growers Kalesti hopes to highlight at the market.
"There are so many great miniature farmers in Jefferson County that people don't know," he said. "We want to bring them in so people can taste their food."
Food vendors like The Bread Box, Lazlo Empanadas and Gene's Pure Colorado were also on hand so people could snack as they wandered.
"Isn't this cute?" exclaimed one attendee to another as they first entered the market. That's just the reaction Kalesti is hoping for, and what he wants to build on.
"If you want to build something generational, you need everyone involved," he said. "It's really been a pleasure getting to know everyone here in Lakewood."
from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Cornering-the-market,232000
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