The Spout Springs Library Farmers Market is open for business.

The season technically goes from May to October, but the market kicks off today thanks to a bumper crop of strawberries, said Annette Hendry, who manages the operation along with Eleanor Coppedge.

In its second year, the market opened last year with one vendor, growing to eight vendors by the second week, and "now we have 40 on our database," she said.

"It was a massive (response), and we were just thrilled," Hendry said.

On Wednesday, the city of Flowery Branch put up directional signs on Spout Springs Road for the market, which will be open 4-7 p.m. each Thursday in the Hall County Library System's Spout Springs branch parking lot.

The Spout Springs branch is at 6488 Spout Springs Road, just inside the Sterling on the Lake subdivision.

Hendry said she appreciated the city's gesture.

"We run this market for no money," she said. "We just want to encourage local ... people to support the farmers and eat healthy, and also (support) the artisans."

In an interview last year, Coppedge said she, her husband, Ken Russell, and Hendry - all Sterling on the Lake residents - had kicked around the idea of a farmers market for a couple of years.

"And we were so lucky to have the library here to sponsor it," Coppedge said. "Once we had a sponsor, a place to have it, then everything just fell into place."

The market drew crowds even in the broiling summer months, as heat radiated off the asphalt parking lot and customers shopped without shade.

"What people were doing was ... jumping out of their car, buying stuff, jumping back in their car and going off," Hendry said. "... We wondered how we were going
to manage (with the weather), but people just came and went."

Hendry and Coppedge worked during the winter looking ahead and planning for the new season.

"We're trying to have something (featured) each month to stimulate interest," Hendry said, citing, as an example, Master Gardeners being on hand to talk with patrons and help advise about growing plants.

Bruce Wills, co-owner of My Daily Bread in Cleveland, said he sold goods at last year's market and is looking forward to being a vendor this season. He also sells at markets in Suwanee and Gainesville.

"We've got a good customer base, good clientele - people who come back week after week," he said.

The Hall County Farmers Market at Jesse Jewell Parkway and East Crescent Drive opens May 10. The Gainesville Market on the Square at Main and Spring street is set to start June 3.