Gainesville residents lamenting the end of farmers market season can take heart - Market on the Square moved indoors Friday to offer its first fall and winter market.

Farmers and other sellers will be offering their goods Friday afternoons in a space inside Main Street Market on Gainesville's downtown square.

Market manager Steve Thomas said most markets close by October. Moving indoors allows farmers to sell their winter crops, such as collard greens and winter squash.

Tina Mathis, of Mountain Earth Farms in Clarkesville, was selling several fall staples Friday, such as beets and radishes. Mathis said her farm usually plants later than most places, as frost dates differ in the mountains.

Other sellers included My Daily Bread, which offers a variety of homemade breads and other bakery items, as well as Brad Bradbury who sells local honey.

My Daily Bread owner Bruce Wills said he is optimistic the indoor market will bring in buyers. He added it's a good place for vendors who don't depend on farm-grown products.

"We have a continual outlet," he said.

Thomas said the indoor market will be virtually the same as the outdoor, only with a scaled back slate of vendors.

Main Street Market can hold up to seven sellers, while the outdoor market has between 14 and 21, he said.

"The only new thing is that we may offer cooking demonstrations," Thomas said.

Customer Cari Dobbins, who said she visits the market almost every week, said she's happy she can continue to support local farmers throughout the season. She also said she enjoyed the indoor comfort.

"It's a lot warmer," she said.

The summer farmers market is held in the parking lot across the street from Main Street Market.

Thomas said the winter and fall markets will not have a set end date, but will continue so long as there are products and customers.