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Gainesville farmers market extends season through Nov. 18
Market won't be open Oct. 7 due to Mule Camp Market festival
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Jimmie Barlow, of Mountain Earth Farms of Clarkesville, sets out vegetables for sale Friday afternoon at the farmers market in downtown Gainesville. This year, the market on the square will stay open through November.

The transition from summer to fall was evident Friday afternoon at the Gainesville Market on the Square.

A cool breeze carried the scent of roasted coffee and baked goods past a table full of bright sunflowers. In the past, the season change marked the end of the farmers market. This year, the unofficial end date is set for Nov. 18.

"In the past, as the farmers' season ends, we slowly back off of farmers as they run out of produce," market manager Steven Thomas said. "But this year, we have a minimum of two farmers, possibly three, who planted fall crops."

Marketgoers can look forward to cool weather greens like kale, lettuce, mustard greens and turnips as well as winter squashes, radishes, cabbage and carrots.

"We'll get into apple season and have fresh local apples," Thomas said.

Jesse Crow, 10, operates a business at the market that he started with the help of his mother, Charlotte Crow.

He began selling boiled peanuts earlier this summer on the road by his house. After learning about the Gainesville Market on the Square, he moved his stand from the roadside in early August. He is allowed to leave school early on Fridays to set up shop. Crow said being on the square has been a great learning experience for her son.

"We like being here on the square. We like the atmosphere. The hours are something we can manage," Crow said.

Jennifer Phillips agreed the square is the place to be for a blooming business. She owns The Yellow Petal, a cut-flowers booth. Her business thrives on the diversity of customers that come to the Gainesville market.

"I love the location. It's really nice, and we've done really great at this market," Phillips said.

Thomas said he's glad the farmers market will be open for the fall. Many vendors who left because of the grueling summer heat will be back to sell their wares in time for Christmas, he said.

"We love being down here, and it seems like the town also agrees that this is the place for the market," Thomas said. "And traditionally, of course, this is where it's supposed to be."

The market will not be open Oct. 7 due to the Mule Camp Market festival, but will reopen Oct. 14. It operates 2:30-6:30 p.m. Fridays. For more information, visit HallFarmers.org.