For a truly unique Eugene experience, there’s nothing like the Eugene Saturday Market. Located in the Park Blocks at East 8th Avenue and Oak Street,@@correct@@ the market is open every Saturday from April until Thanksgiving — rain or shine. Between 3,000 and 5,000 customers shop at the market on each of those Saturday’s, starting around 10 a.m. when the market opens. While today around 150 vendors show up each weekend to sell their hand-crafted treasures, it was not always this way.
The Eugene Saturday Market was founded in 1970 by Lotte Streisinger,@@http://www.eugenesaturdaymarket.org/faq.html@@ opening for the first time with 29 vendors on May 9, 1970. Three factors played a big part in the organization of a Saturday market. First, though Eugene was home to a large number of artisans who wished to share their creations, it was also home to an equally large number of residents interested in buying local goods and crafts. Second, the old Farmers Market had closed in the 1950s, leaving many local produce vendors with nowhere to sell. Third, the downtown area was facing economic hardships, and the city was interested in bringing it back to life.
While at first, some downtown businesses objected to the idea of a huge crowd of vendors parked right outside their storefronts, the Saturday Market has actually been helpful to its the downtown location, drawing customers who otherwise may not travel that way and bringing recognition to the area. In 1979, the city opened a new Farmers Market right next to the Saturday Market, allowing the produce vendors and the artisans to all flourish together. After the initial publicity began to dwindle, the marketeers worried their new sales venue might not last. However, with maintained faith and persistence, the operation held its own and is now a cherished part of Eugene culture.
Everything sold at the Saturday Market is grown or made by the person selling it — there are no imported goods or items sold by big business. The market wants to create a strong bond between artisan makers and buyers, which not only encourages community but also helps the local economy. The Farmer’s Market continues on the same day across the street.
Customers have a lot of respect for the Saturday Market. On yelp.com, the market has been called “quintessentially Eugene,” “genial and easygoing,” “overwhelming” and “a truly beautiful thing.” A commenter named Heather even said, “The Saturday Market is one of the reasons I decided to move to Eugene.”
Eugene has taken control of the name “Saturday Market” in Oregon, meaning any other Oregon markets must include their city name in the title to use the phrase. They also must get permission to not only become official from the Saturday Market Board, but also be a non-profit organization with vendors who make their own products. Other basic principles of a Saturday Market include being outdoors, having a downtown location and using public property.
Between the beading, candles, jewelry, clothes and 20 other kinds of vendors selling at the Saturday Market, there are always new things to look at. A variety of food vendors and live local musicians center around a beautiful fountain — not to mention the impressive Farmers Market — top off what is sure to be a great experience on what could be an otherwise uneventful Saturday.