Rochester hosts many events each year in it’s picturesque downtown, but few are more popular than the Farmer’s Market that operates each Saturday from May through October. Prior to the spread of urban sprawl, Rochester had a long history of being a farming community and this persona carries over to the Farmer’s Market, which is held on Third Street one block west of Main Street.

The market consists of dozens of area farmers and vendors selling everything from fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, crafts and more. Each Saturday throughout the spring, summer and fall you can find the Rochester Farmer’s Market packed with happy shoppers looking for the best produce and the best prices.

Some of the more popular vendors are Hickory Hill Farms of Clifford, Michigan sets up shop at the market each year and sells their very popular spider repellent. “R” Bees Honey Farm of Columbus, Michigan has been selling bees wax candles and other bee related products for years and is also a popular choice of market shoppers.

One of the most popular produce vendors is Penzien Farms of Imlay City, Michigan who regularly populates their booth with potatoes, carrots, melons and vine ripened tomatoes!

Fresh baked goods can be purchased from the Blue Ridge Blueberry Farm booth. In addition, they sell great pies, breads and home made jellies!

An old stand by at the farmers market is Miller’s Big Red Orchard. Millers also owns and operates a greenhouse and cider mill, so their booth regularly sells an assortment of apples, sauces and cider in addition to flowering plants and geranium cuttings.

If specialty sauces are your thing make sure to stop in at the Sansoneeti Gourmet Foods booth. One of their most popular sauces is their Michigan Apple Glaze, which perfectly compliments any pork dish you might be serving!

Quality baked goods are offered by The Breadwinner Bakery, which is located only a few blocks from the market in downtown Rochester. Breads, muffins and pies will cause your mouth to water and a purchase will delight your family.

Whatever your needs, the Rochester Farmer’s Market is likely to have a booth that caters to them! Stop in on any Saturday and find out for yourself!

Beginning on December 3 at 5:00pm those celebrating the Christmas Season can do so on West Fourth Street in Downtown Rochester. The Kris Kringle Market is inspired by historical holiday markets in Europe that celebrate the Christmas Season with gifts, food and other delights. Come experience the ambiance of this delightful holiday Christmas Market!

This year’s market will coincide with both the Rochester Christmas Parade and the Big Bright Light Show!

The shop itself is located in a small mini-mall at 414 Main Street. Access to the building is from the front or from the large city parking lot in the back. Once inside, you will be delighted to find an “old school” barber shop, but with a young and hip owner. Brian Thayer is the owner and resident barber. Brian is a very nice young man with an obvious passion for his business.

The shop itself is decorated with tons of sports memorabilia and other items local to the Rochester area. Being in The Rochester Barber Shop takes me back to a time when I was young and all barber shops were very much like this one. The decor is really neat and I think that you will enjoy it.

In addition to the neat store and great Downtown Rochester location, I received a pretty terrific haircut, too! Best of luck Brian with your new business!

Enter The Give Thanks Bakery and it’ll be no ordinary experience. You will discover the essence of a Viennese coffee shop, a pâtisserie in Paris, and a bäkerei in Bavaria, all in one place – right near your home. You will enjoy the visual feast of European pastries, the delicious aroma of crackling loaves coming straight from the oven, and the soft strains of Mozart in the café. Welcome!

Truer words have never been spoken. I am fortunate enough to have been to a Viennese coffee shop, a bäkerei in Bavaria and a Paris pâtisserie and can confirm that I have yet to visit another bakery in the United States that offers the ambience and feel that you experience in the fine cafes of Europe.

Give Thanks Bakery

225 S. Main St

Rochester, MI 48307

248.601.1542

Stop in and see for yourself. The Give Thanks Bakery is located in downtown Rochester, but it’s a bit hard to find as the entrance is located on the west alley between Second and Third Street. It might take some extra time to find, but once you are inside you will be glad that you have arrived!

Talulah Belle Boutique

114 W. Third

Rochester, MI 48307

248.453.5054

Located on W. Third Street just one block west of Main Street, Talulah Belle occupies the ground floor of a marvelously restored Italianate design building. Why not stop in and check out the wonderful gift items that Talulah Belle has to offer.

Talulah Belle is is keeping late night hours for the remainder of the summer and is open until 9:00pm on Thursday and Friday.

You can also check out Talulah Belle’s fan page on Facebook! In addition, here’s a nice video about what a neat store Talulah Belle is:

One of the businesses that we think is a good candidate for this support is Pauls on Main Street.  Paul’s is truly a family restaurant.  Not only does the restaurant cater to families, but it is run by a family, too.  Paul’s provides great food, at a reasonable price, and with personal service and attention to detail.  In fact, if you want a delicious meal at a great price, try Paul’s Greek Chicken Salad.  You won’t be disappointed.

Paul’s is located in downtown Rochester 630 N. Main Street.  Their phone number is 248-656-0066 and their fax number is 248-652-3363.

Why not get on board with both your local businesses and the 3/50 Project and keep our downtown brick and mortar businesses thriving.

Downtown Rochester’s newest coffee shop, the Bean & Leaf Cafe, opened just before Christmas. They are located at the corner of Main Street & University Drive in the heart of downtown Rochester.

The Bean & Leaf Cafe is independently owned and operated by a family that lives in the area. They take pride in only serving the finest coffee, teas and all the goodies you can get your hands on. They hope to offer their customers a unique experience by providing friendly service and a place where they can come with friends or family and relax over a hot cup of coffee.

Enviro-Cups

The Bean & Leaf Cafe prides itself on only using enviromentally friendly cups that are 100% bio-degradeable

Fairtrade Coffee

The Bean & Leaf Cafe offers many varieties of fair trade organic coffees!

Isn’t It Time You Visited Bean & Leaf?

I stopped in at the Bean & Leaf Cafe yesterday and had one of the best lattes I have had in a long time. The shop was bustling with customers and it appears as though they have gotten off to a great start in their new Rochester location. Why don’t you stop in today and enjoy the newest “hot” spot in downtown Rochester!