The Rice Village Farmers Market opened its doors to an enthusiastic crowd on Sunday, December 6. Blue skies and cool air were the perfect backdrop to welcome hundreds of neighbors to Houston’s newest farmers market.

Casey Barbles, owner of The Informal Grub and Heights Mercantile Farmers Market, is the mastermind behind the new locale, which will be open on Kelvin and Times Blvd. every first and third Sunday of the month, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. “Farmers markets have been a saving grace for small businesses during the pandemic,” Casey says. “They are essential, because they are classified as open-air grocery stores, where you can get salad, meats, eggs.”

Casey says that about 60 percent of the vendors will be familiar to anyone frequenting the Heights Mercantile Farmers Market, which is held on second and fourth Sundays. “By January, we will have 55 vendors,” she says about the Rice Village market.

Vendors offered locally grown, organic foods and other handmade items. A few favorites: homemade, jarred margarita mix (some spiced up with serrano peppers); bottled floral cocktail starters; art projects to keep little ones busy; and coffee ready to sip or take home. From the top of a van that looked eerily reminiscent of the van from the ‘70s cartoon Scooby Doo, The Chaney Machine played music that made the whole thing feel like a big party.

Shopping local and supporting Houston’s small businesses was never so much fun!

Rice Village Farmers Market
First and Third Sundays
Kelvin and Times
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Editor's note: Although the Rice Village Farmers Market is held outdoors, be sure to wear a mask when visiting.