Audio By Carbonatix
Green markets are all the rage in Miami, and the latest one
from the Market Company is a tiny representation of local commerce at work.
While the Market Company puts on much larger outdoor gatherings (including
nearby on Lincoln Road), the Collins Park Sunday Market is cozy and functional.
Yesterday, I stopped by my neighborhood souk, on 22nd and Collins
Avenue, to check out the scene. Although the weather was overcast and damp (the
market has been beset by bad weather in its first five weeks),
there were 20 people perusing the various wares.
Of the eight or so vendors on hand, only two were
selling produce. The first, and larger stand, had fruit and veggies from all
over the world, such as bananas from Costa Rica. Locally, all of the citrus was
from Florida. Across the way, though, the produce was exclusively from
Homestead, with an added bonus of farm fresh eggs.
Other foodie options included pastries from Le
Petit Pain. This French bakery hails from Lantana and featured cookies,
chocolate crepes, broccoli and cheddar croissants, spinach croissants, and plain
croissants. There was also a lady selling fruit and veggie kebabs, although she
wouldn’t let me take pictures of her stand, nor was she interested in being
interviewed for this post. Each kebab was $5. Friendlier were the Emerson Stone Crabs folks, who were selling the crustaceans for $20 each. (They also
had lobster tails for $9.50.) Clearly, this is a better deal than Joe’s Stone
Crab. They’ll also crack them for you.
There is also a weekly food demonstration from area chefs.
Yesterday, Andrea Curto-Randazzo (of Talula) prepared strawberry bars and
mango cupcakes. Next Sunday, Books & Books’ head toque, Bernard Matz, will
demonstrate how to make salsa for the Super Bowl. Because next Sunday is the big
game, 30 vendors from the neighboring Lincoln Road Green Market will migrate to Collins Park (across the street from the W South Beach) for a
supersize shopping experience.
Collins Park Sunday Market
22nd Street and Collins Avenue
Sundays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
