Reaching a hip crowd

Fresh52 fosters modern twist on farmers market

Duane Prokop/ViewRuth Lucero, owner of Bistro Blends, hands out samples during the June 20 grand opening of fresh52 farmers market in the parking lot of Sansone Park Place, 9480 S. Eastern Ave. Duane Prokop/ViewFresh52 has room for additional vendors. Food, clothing, jewelry and numerous other items are offered at the weekly market. Greg Steele twists balloons into designs for children during fresh52?s grand opening. Plans call for future market\uFEFFs to include chef demonstrations and craft\uFEFFs for kids.Duane Prokop/View Advertisement

A fresh face to healthy living and supporting local, small businesses has moved into the neighborhood.

And it invites you over every Sunday.

Fresh52, a budding open-air market in the parking lot of Sansone Park Place, 9480 S. Eastern Ave., had its grand opening June 20.

Despite stocking standard farm fare, market manager Carrie Hogan aims to provide customers with a modern market experience.

The idea for a more centrally located, hip market void of "country crafts," as Hogan described them, came to the Las Vegan in October.

Hogan said seeing the film "Food, Inc." -- a documentary critical of the corporate-run food industry -- affected her.

"At the end it says, 'Do your part, start a farmers market,' " she said. "I've been to other markets, and their locations aren't easy to get to (and) not where the communities are."

She collaborated with the shopping plaza, local farmers and artists, and the first vendor tents were erected May 16.

Hogan welcomes anyone who wants to sell or display their wares to reserve a space. Farmers, bakers, chefs, artists, nonprofit entities and performers have brought their wares and talent to fresh52. The market has room for about 200 vendors, Hogan said.

Artists with Handmade in Vegas, a local Etsy team, are big contributors.

Staysi Lee of Local Loves Pirate displayed her collection of vintage-inspired wedding accessories.

The line includes bridesmaid dresses, jewelry, purses, clutches and hand-dyed crinolines and shoes. A few barrettes and headbands were embellished with faux skulls and bones.

"I try to go for a modern vintage feel," Lee said.

Hogan and Lee met through the Etsy team, and Lee said she was drawn to the fresh52 concept.

"It's not your mom's farmers market," she said. "It's fun and modern and more my style. It's a good mix."

The market is open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday. Hogan plans to keep the market open year round, hence the name fresh52.

At the grand opening, music from a guitar duo lilted through the market.

Debi Garrison of D & D Farms danced down the center aisle of the market while she worked.

"It's gonna be a good market," she said.

Garrison, of Sanger, Calif., has been working with five other farms bringing fresh fruits and vegetables to Las Vegas markets for six years.

During the grand opening week, peaches, summer squash, avocados, potatoes and asparagus were center stage in the produce carriers.

A few tents over, Joe Vergara, owner of Sasa Sweets, fielded requests for shaved ice on the hot summer day.

Everything on the table in front of Vergara, including the pure cane sugar syrup for the shaved ice flavoring, was made from scratch with natural products.

He and his sister started the business in Chicago four years ago and moved to Las Vegas in 2008. They make the pastries and baked goods fresh each day.

Vergara said fresh52 spoke to Sasa Sweets' mission of connecting with people who are passionate about quality products.

"We believe in being a part of all farmers markets," he said. "We want that direct connect with the customers."

Future market features will include chef demonstrations and crafts for kids, Hogan said. She also hopes to bring in experts from UNLV to work on childhood obesity programs.

"My idea was to inspire the community to make different choices in what they eat," she said. "I am pretty passionate about children and childhood obesity."

Henderson resident Jacqui Lopez brought her two young daughters to the fresh52 grand opening. She helped her older daughter select a handful of handmade beads and shared a white peach with her younger daughter.

Lopez said she saw the market when as she drove by and decided to stop.

"I'm excited for this. I don't think we have anything like this down here," she said. "I'm happy to help out and get good food for my family while I'm here. We welcome it to the neighborhood."

For more information, visit fresh52.com or call 481-6558.

Contact Centennial and Southeast View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.