Farmers markets evoke nostalgia—baskets of fresh produce, homemade breads, local honey and conversations with the people who grew or made the food. But for many families, the reality is different. Weekends fill up, schedules get busy and making it to the market before it closes can feel impossible.
That’s what makes Roanoke’s new Oak Street Farmers Market different.
A partnership between the City of Roanoke and The Local Markethouse is bringing a new concept to the Oak Street Saturday Market, blending the convenience of online ordering with the connection and freshness people love about traditional farmers markets.
Not your typical farmers market
For Molly and Brandyn Skinner, the idea behind The Local Markethouse started with their family.
The couple loved supporting local farms and shopping at farmers markets, but with two young daughters and packed weekends, they often missed them.
“We love shopping local and going to farmers markets, but we kept missing them because of birthday parties, soccer games or sickness,” Molly said. “We knew there had to be an easier way for the community to access local food and goods.”
That challenge inspired the couple to rethink the farmers market for busy families.
Instead of asking customers to plan their entire Saturday around getting to a market, The Local Markethouse allows shoppers to browse online throughout the week from over 30 local farms, ranches, bakers and artisans across North Texas. Once orders close, products are harvested, baked and prepared for those purchases before being packed for pickup on Saturday at City Hall.
Saturday pickups will also feature rotating vendors, samples and educational experiences to preserve the community feel of a traditional farmers market.
Families shopping local goods at Oak Street Saturday Farmers Market in Roanoke Texas
Offerings beyond produce
While fresh fruits and vegetables are a major part of the market, the offerings extend beyond produce. Customers can shop for:
- Fresh baked breads
- Grass-fed meats and eggs
- Local honey
- Handmade artisan goods
- Specialty pantry items and treats
- Seasonal fruits and vegetables
A key goal of The Local Markethouse is helping people feel more connected to the products they bring home.
Each vendor on the platform has a profile sharing information about their farm, sourcing practices and philosophy, giving customers transparency into where their food comes from and how it was produced.
Why Roanoke was the right fit
City leaders said residents are increasingly interested in local shopping and community events on Oak Street, making the partnership feel like a natural fit.
“What we love about this concept is that it introduces something fresh and exciting for Roanoke,” said Sandra Pettigrew, City of Roanoke Public Engagement Manager. “This partnership creates another reason for residents and visitors to come to Oak Street, explore downtown, interact with local businesses and experience something unique.”
The city was drawn to the concept’s long-term potential. Rather than launching a traditional market model all at once, the partnership allows the experience to grow organically alongside community participation and interest.
For Molly, Oak Street also felt like the perfect home for the concept due to the area’s strong sense of community and support for local businesses.
Why shopping local matters
For both the city and The Local Markethouse, the partnership is about more than convenience. It’s about making fresh, locally sourced food more accessible while supporting the farmers, ranchers and small businesses behind it.
Many products are harvested or prepared shortly before pickup, so customers often receive fresher, more flavorful food than at larger grocery stores. Shopping local also keeps more money in the community and helps smaller producers grow their businesses.
The City of Roanoke sees the market as a way to strengthen Oak Street’s identity as a welcoming, community-centered destination.
“This concept fits naturally into Roanoke’s welcoming environment,” Pettigrew said. “It gives people another reason to spend time on Oak Street, discover something new and support local businesses.”
Schedule your next pickup
As the pilot program launches, both the city and The Local Markethouse hope it becomes more than a weekly pickup—but a growing community experience centered around local connection, small businesses and fresh food.
To learn about the Oak Street Saturday Market or place an order, visit The Local Markethouse or the City of Roanoke Farmers Market on Facebook.
The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel, with the Community Impact's Storytelling team, using information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.