Main Street’s Saturday showing sells produce, artisan goods
Just because it’s January doesn’t mean you can’t get fresh produce.
Shopping for it in an open-air market on the 1500 block of Columbia’s Main Street? It’s an experience.
Children get pushed around in red metal wagons. Violinists and guitarists jam out on separate tunes without disturbing the peace or creating an unpleasant sound. Friends call out to each other as they sample fresh pastries and bite-sized vegetable slices. Patrons zip in and out of area businesses, from Drip to the Columbia Museum of Art, packing in as much culture and cuisine as possible.
What is this magical place? It’s Soda City, one of Columbia’s downtown hot spots on weekends, and it’s open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market, previously known as the All-Local Farmers’ Market and located at 701 Whaley St., moved to Main Street in October, bringing with it a new name and a slew of new vendors.
The market’s vendor lineup varies slightly each week, but customers always have plenty of choices across all food groups, from dairy and meat to desserts and drinks. Local eateries, including Nonnah’s and Crepes and Croissants, serve up their signature sweets outdoors while other vendors come from further down the road.
John and Wendy Eleazer, owners of Eleazer Farm in Irmo, have been selling their produce at Soda City since October.
“We’ve been with them from the beginning,” Wendy Eleazer said.
The couple’s special offerings for the winter season are green onions, spring onions and a gourmet lettuce mix.
“All our greens are washed, spun and ready to eat,” Wendy Eleazer said.
In the fall, Eleazer Farm sells pumpkins at Soda City.
“It’s an old-timey cooking pumpkin,” Wendy Eleazer said. “It has an amazing taste.”
While business has been steady throughout the winter, especially when the Main Street Ice rink was in operation, John Eleazer expects the crowd to grow more as the seasons change.
“The warm weather is really going to bring the people out here,” he said.
In addition to food, Soda City attracts a large group of crafters and artisans specializing in everything from skin care to floral design. There’s even something to satisfy pet needs.
Ashley McMahan, owner of Sup-Dog, has been selling handmade canine collars and leashes at Soda City since October. She often has a dog in tow, usually a foster dog in need of a new home, but her furry friends weren’t always welcome at the Main Street market.
“When Soda City first started, they said, ‘Don’t bring your dog,’ but that has since changed,” McMahan said. “Lots of people bring dogs.”
McMahan sews all of Sup-Dog’s products herself, using the skills her mother taught her.
“I have a 1940s sewing machine I got for $7 at auction,” she said. “I never took a class.”
McMahan buys her materials at Hobby Lobby and a parachute supply company. Her products range in price from $6 to $30. In addition to pet accessories, McMahan sells handmade keychains and plans to branch out into making guitar straps.
Both Eleazer Farm and Sup-Dog will be at Soda City this weekend. To learn more about the market, find Soda City on Facebook.